KIHASA has published eight research monographs, including Recent Trends and Determinants of Marriage and Childbirth: A Comprehensive Analysis of the 2024 Family and Fertility Survey.

Recent Trends and Determinants of Marriage and Childbirth: A Comprehensive Analysis of the 2024 Family and Fertility Survey Yi Jihye; Park Jongseo; Lee Soyoung; Chang Insu; Choi Sunyoung; Jung Hee-Sun 

Using data from the 2024 National Family and Fertility Survey, this study conducts an in-depth empirical analysis of marriage and childbirth in Korea by examining individuals’ values, gender roles within couples, life-course regional mobility, reproductive health experiences, childcare costs and government support, and the use of work？family balance programs. It also assesses how recent revisions to the survey enhance the ability to capture diverse family forms and fertility-related behaviors, and discusses implications for improving both family and fertility policies as well as the future design of the National Family and Fertility Survey.

Population Dynamics and Total Fertility Change Kim Eun Jung; Lee Jihye; Kim Eunji; Cho Sun Mi

This research monograph provides a comprehensive demographic analysis of Korea’s unprecedented fertility decline by integrating fertility elasticity analysis, decomposition analysis, and expert survey evidence. Focusing on the sharp downturn since 2015, it identifies a structural shift in the drivers of fertility change, underscoring the growing importance of marriage and first births. By offering robust empirical insights into evolving demographic mechanisms, the study contributes to evidence-based debates on reorienting Korea’s fertility and family policy framework in the era of ultra-low fertility.

Spatial Big Data-Based de facto Population Projection Model: Development, Application and Policy Implications Chang Insu; Oh Shinhwee; Kim Young-Long; Kim Eunji

This study aimed at developing a living population forecasting model using spatial big data and identify related policy challenges. As living population is increasingly utilized to address regional population decline, more deeper understanding of the current situation and forecasting are essential to enhance policy effectiveness. This study developed and applied a model for the living population analysis and forecasting using mobile floating population data from telecommunication companies. Also based on our results, several related policy initiatives were proposed.

Youth Health Status and Policy Challenges Kim Dongjin; Lee Subin; Choi Jihee; Son Seonok

Amid rapid transformations in the socioeconomic landscape, societal demands for the support of vulnerable youth have intensified, underscoring the growing need for comprehensive health protection targeted at this population. In particular, reliance on “average” health indicators or implicit assumptions that young people are uniformly healthy risks obscuring the heterogeneous and often cumulative health challenges experienced by youth situated in structurally vulnerable circumstances. Such reductive perspectives hinder the identification of health disparities that remain concealed beneath aggregate measures. In recent years, the need to identify and support diverse subgroups of vulnerable youth―including young caregivers, youth transitioning out of institutional care, and socially isolated or socially withdrawn youth―has become increasingly salient. Against this backdrop, the health sector must respond through strengthened policy initiatives aimed at the systematic identification of vulnerable youth and the provision of preventive, continuous, and needs-responsive health support.

An Analysis of the Drivers Behind the Rebound in Live Births in 2024 Lee Jihye; Kim Eun Jung; Choi Insun; Lee Chulhee

This study conducts an empirical analysis to identify the drivers of the rebound in the number of births in 2024, focusing on key factors such as the base effect following the COVID-19 period, the recent increase in marriage rates, the entry of the echo-boom generation into prime family formation ages alongside rising fertility among women in their 30s, and changes in attitudes toward marriage and fertility. Using objective data, including official birth statistics and a survey of women who gave birth in 2024, the study presents both structural and short-term factors underlying the rebound, examines the potential persistence of the recent rebound, and derives policy implications relevant to future birth trends.

An Evaluation of 10 Years of the Customized Benefit System in the Basic Livelihood Security System and Directions for Improvement Kim Taewan; Lee Jumi; Han Su-jin; Kim Moon-Gil; Kim Ki-tae; Hwang Dokyun; Lim Deokyoung; No Dae Myung; Seo Kwangguk; Kim Myungjung

This study evaluated the performance of the Basic Livelihood Security System ten years after its conversion to a tailored benefit system. The analysis shows that while some coverage gaps have been alleviated, further relaxation of asset criteria remains necessary. In addition, reforms are required with respect to the calculation of the median income standard used in benefit determination. The outcomes of self-sufficiency programs in facilitating exits from benefit receipt remain limited, indicating the need for institutional improvements in this area. Looking ahead, preparations are needed for a transition of the Basic Livelihood Security System toward a categorical public assistance system, taking Into account poverty traps and its consistency with other social security systems.

Diagnosing Social Mobility and Directions for Social Policy Reform in South Korea Kim Taewan; Kim Ki-tae; Kim Moon-Gil; Lim Wan-Sub; Lee Jumi; Jo Bobae; Jang Yoon-sun; Kim Han-na; Park Hyungjohn; Yoon Sang-yong; Lee Seok-min; Lee Seok-min; Kwon Shin-jung; Kim Wooseong

This study aims to evaluate social mobility in South Korea and develop policy recommendations to improve it. Chapter 2 of PartⅠ presents a theoretical discussion on the concept and definition of social mobility. It also analyzes public perceptions of social mobility based on data from the Social Survey and the Korean Welfare Panel Study, and income mobility along with key findings from Income Mobility Statistics of the Ministry of Data and Statistics (formerly Statistics Korea). Chapter 3 of PartⅠcovers the results of the National Survey on Public Perceptions of Social Mobility conducted with 3,000 respondents in 2025. PartⅡ then examines social mobility across specific topics and offers policy implications, focusing on employment, assets, education, disability, and gender. The key implications are twofold. First, the analysis reveals that social mobility in Korea is shaped by the interplay between intragenerational and intergenerational mobility. This indicates that enhancing social mobility requires a multidimensional approach, rather than policies limited to a single domain. Second, the analysis confirms that intergenerational transfers play a major role in influencing social mobility. Differences in parental circumstances exert a substantial influence on the future resources and socioeconomic status of the children’s generation. To enhance social mobility, two policy directions are recommended. First, improving social mobility and income distribution requires integrating governance mechanisms and strengthening statistical capacity. Second, in order to address disparities in the economic resources held by parents across different socioeconomic groups, the introduction of a ‘Social Assets’ scheme is proposed to ensure equal opportunities at the stating point. However, if enhancing equal opportunity alone cannot achieve substantive equality of outcomes, we propose developing policy measures to achieve substantive equality of outcomes through redistribution mechanisms.

A Report on the Korea Health Panel Survey of 2023 (II) Lee Suehyung; Moon Seokjun; Choi Jihee; Park Eunja; Lee Hyejung; Yun Gangjae; Park Na-Young; Kang Hee-Chung; Yeom Ahrim; Kim Eunjoo; Shin Jae-Dong; Yoon Yealmae; Hyun Seungjae

The KHP provides not only information on health care utilization and expenditures, but also various factors affecting health care use such as socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidities, and health behaviors. This report includes descriptive statistics on comorbidities, healthcare utilization and expenditures, patient experiences, unmet health care needs, and health behaviors of 11,528 individuals from 5,427 households in 2023. This report provides empirical evidence to better understand healthcare utilization and expenditures of Korean population.