KJCKorea
Journal Central

The declining total fertility rate of South Korea has reached a critical level, prompting extensive research into the determinants of fertility decisions. While studies investigating the impact of economic growth on fertility rates are actively being conducted, there is a notable absence of empirical analyses examining the relationship between regional disparities and fertility. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the impacts of economic growth and regional disparities on total fertility rates. Utilizing total fertility rates data from 229 municipal districts and 16 metropolitan areas from 2010 to 2019, spatial panel models and Geographically Weighted Regression models were employed for the analyses. The analysis results of the spatial panel model, focusing on 229 municipal districts, reveal that economic growth exhibits a positive effect on fertility. In addition, the analysis of 16 metropolitan areas indicates that regional disparities in economic development and changes to property values have a negative impact on the total fertility rate. This study underscores the potential role of expanding regional disparities as a contributing factor to worsening low fertility rates, emphasizing the importance of balanced national development in addressing fertility enhancement. Additionally, the research provides insights into policy measures aimed at resolving issues related to low fertility and regional decline.

This study aims to examine Sejong City’s self-sufficiency as a process to reach the third stage of Sejong City’s development goals, which aims to achieve a self-sufficient metropolis with a population of 500,000 by 2030. In this study, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis was used to examine the priorities of the variables regarded as significant in supporting regional growth, and Sejong City’s self-sufficiency was evaluated by comparing it to six other cities. The AHP analysis confirmed that economic components were important in promoting regional development policies, and the residential environment, consumption facilities, and park and green spaces were also identified to be important components in achieving self-sufficiency. This study verified that of the four classifications of self-sufficiency, infrastructure and eco-friendly aspects have been adequately secured in Sejong City while economic and living environment conditions need improvement. Based on the analysis, this study suggests that employment opportunities should be extended and consumer facilities be promoted to ensure Sejong City’s self-sufficiency.

The concentration of the youth population in the metropolitan area has continued in the past for purposes such as education and employment. However, youth population movement is more important due to the issues of low birth rate, population decline, and local extinction crisis. In this study, we analyzed the changes and characteristics of factors affecting occupational mobility of human capital from 2009 to 2019. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the experience an official English test had and the higher the school grades, the higher the possibility of moving to other regions or the metropolitan area. And movement factors vary depending on destination and era. This suggests that the high level of competition in the metropolitan area has both positive and occupational effects on job mobility. For example, gender no longer served as a significant variable, and the age at which people moved to the metropolitan area increased. There is a need to consider occupational mobility factors among young people in employment policies and regional policies.