South Korea, facing the world’s lowest fertility rate of 0.72 children per woman, is set to allow families to hire foreign nannies in a bid to tackle its declining birth rate. The government has issued visas to 100 Filipino nannies who will commence work next week, with plans to expand the program to 1,200 foreign nannies by mid-2025.
The initiative aims to alleviate concerns about the lack of affordable childcare, which has been cited as a major issue for working parents. Over the years, successive South Korean governments have invested 380 trillion won (approximately $284 billion) in efforts to boost fertility rates, but with little effect. The administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol is now turning to foreign caregivers as a new strategy.
However, the cost of hiring these nannies remains a significant concern. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, hiring a nanny for eight hours a day could cost households around 2.38 million won per month—nearly half the average monthly income in South Korea. This cost is seen as a barrier to broader participation in the program, especially for families outside wealthy areas such as Gangnam.
Addressing concerns, You Hye-mi, senior secretary to President Yoon, mentioned that the government is exploring ways to reduce the financial burden on households, which has been a source of public complaints. The success of this policy will depend on finding ways to make it accessible and affordable for more families.
