저출산과 학령인구 급감에 대한 대응 방안: 교육정책을 중심으로 = Low Birth Rate and the Decline of School-age Population: Implications for Education Policy

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The low birth rate and subsequent rapid changes in the population structure have had many ripple effects in various sectors of Korean society. We search for what education policy changes are needed according to this historical phenomenon. First of all, we confirm that the heavy burden of education costs is a major factor in the suspension of childbirth for Korean families, and stress the urgent need to reform the education system to reduce private education expenditures. Next, we examine the current status of childcare services in kindergartens and elementary schools and present necessary institutional tasks to move toward universal care. Finally, we confirm that the sharp drop in the school-age population is causing a profound distortion of the national education finance structure and suggests the direction of the reform of the Local Education Finance Subsidy System. In addition, we emphasize the need to expand the government’s finances in line with the universalization of higher education and the expansion of lifelong education services.