The UK witnesses a dramatic rise in homeschooling, with figures more than doubling since 2019, while South Korea grapples with a record low birth rate, prompting discussions on societal and policy reforms.
The trend of homeschooling in the UK has seen a notable increase, with numbers more than doubling in some regions since 2019, even before the COVID-19 pandemic influenced educational choices. Wendy Charles-Warner, chair of Education Otherwise, highlights a consistent upsurge in parents opting for home education to provide a customised learning environment for their children. Parents engaging in homeschooling do not require special qualifications but must ensure the education is appropriate for their child’s age, ability, and any special needs. Despite the flexibility and often superior exam performance of home-educated children, families face significant financial adjustments due to the demand on parents’ time.
Simultaneously, South Korea is experiencing a demographic challenge, with the country reporting the world’s lowest birth rate, which fell further by 8% in 2023 to a record low of 0.72 births per woman. This decline has been declared a “national emergency,” with various factors including intense work culture, societal pressures, and the high cost of raising children in a competitive society, leading many South Korean women to postpone or reject motherhood. Government efforts to reverse the trend through financial incentives have been largely unsuccessful, sparking discussions on more innovative strategies to boost the birth rate. The ongoing demographic crisis has ignited a broader conversation on work-life balance, gender equality, and societal expectations, influencing personal and policy-level decisions in South Korea.
