The Childfree Phenomenon and the Decline in Fertility
A Public Policy and Islamic Law Perspective in South Korea and Indonesia
Keywords:
Fertility, Childfree, Public Policy, Islamic Law, South Korea, Indonesia
Abstract
Phenomenon decline level birth and more popularity style life without child (childfree) has become global issues that affect structure demographics , including in South Korea and Indonesia. Research This aim For identify factors that cause decline number fertility , tracing background behind social from choice childfree living , as well as compare response policy public both countries against challenge mentioned . The method used is studies library with approach analysis descriptive-comparative on demographic data , literature scientific , and documents policy official . Study results show that South Korea is experiencing decline sharp in The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) figure reached 0.78 children per woman in 2022. The decline This affected by pressure economy , domination culture patriarchy , and gender inequality . On the other hand , Indonesia recorded decrease in TFR from 2.6 to 2.4, along with with emergence childfree trend among generation young urban areas . In response to issue This , South Korea adopted pro-natalist policies such as giving subsidies and support for family young , while Indonesia remains focus on control programs population through Family Planning . From the angle view Islamic law , the childfree option raises debate between right individuals and goals wedding in guard sustainability descendants ( hifz al- nasl ).
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References
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Zed, M. (2014). Library research methods (3rd edition) . Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=zG9sDAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=id#v=onepage&q&f=false
Zuhriah, E., Rahmawati, ES, Aprilyanti, M., Chaidaroh, U., & Cholil, M. (2023). Childfree, the digital era, and Islamic law: views of Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and gender activists in Malang, Indonesia. Samarah: Journal of Family Law and Islamic Law , 7 (3), 1606–1626. https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/samarah/article/view/17753
Banks, W. (2023). Fertility Rate Data for Indonesia and Korea, 1960–2022 .
Barakah, F., Elanda, Y., Evendi, A., Fitri, MR, & Royandi, E. (2024a). Childfree discourse and netizen expectations: A case study of Gita Savitri and Cinta Laura in the context of Indonesian culture. Indonesian Journal of Sociology of Religion (JSAI) , 5 ( 1), 160–178. https://journal3121.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/jsai/article/view/4323
BKKBN. (2009). Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) . https://www.bkkbn.go.id
BKKBN. (2009). Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) . National Population and Family Planning Agency.
Blackstone, A., & Stewart, M. (2012b). Choosing to be childfree: Research on the decision not to parent. Sociology Compass , 6 (9), 718–727. https://doi.org/1 0 .1111/j.1751-9020.2012.00496.x
Bongaarts, J. (2017). Fertility and reproductive preferences in the developing world. Population and Development Review , 43 (3), 525–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/padr . 12097
Cho, K. A. (2021). Korea's low birth rate issue and policy directions (Vol. 27, Issue 1). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC 9 334168/
Choi, K. H., & Qian, Y. (2023). The rise of the childless single in South Korea. Journal of Family Theory & Review . https://psycnet.apa. o rg/doi/10.1111/jftr.12507
Fadhilah, E. (2021b). Childfree in an Islamic perspective. Al-Mawarid: Journal of Sharia and Law , 23 (2), 115–126. https://journal.uii.ac.id/JSYH/artic l e/view/21959
Fauzi, I., Salamah, D., Anwar, Z., & Apni, CN (2025). Analysis of the Childfree Phenomenon in Islamic Fiqh Law (A Study of the Concept of Intention Approach). In El-Thawalib Journal (Vol. 6, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.24952/el-thawalib.v6i1.14800
GFMER/WHO. (2018). Global fertility and maternal health report . World Health Organization. https://ww w .gfmer.ch
Habibi, J., Ma'arif, K., Putra, AP, & Burhanusyihab, A. (2023). Childfree Marriage in the Perspective of Islamic Law. Transformative Journal (Islamic Studies) , 7 (2), 139-152. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1ca2/76229dfb8f0c4 b 33f037abe14ad88c767dc6.pdf
, & Kurniasih, D. (2023a). Comparison of population growth rate policies in Indonesia and South Korea. In Musamus Journal of Public Administration (Vol. 5, Issue 2 ). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374918299_Comparison_of_Population_Growth_Rate_Policies_in_Indonesia_and_South_Korea
Jenuri, J., Islamy, MRF, Komariah, KS, Suwarma, DM, & Fitria, AHN (2022). The childfree phenomenon in the modern era: A phenomenological study of the Gen Z generation and Islamic views on childfree in Indonesia. Social Culture , 19 (2), 81–89. https://ejournal.uin-suska.ac.id/index.php/SosialBudaya/arti c le/view/16602
Kim, J. K. (2025). The predetermined future: tackling South Korea's total fertility rate crisis. Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics , 68 (3), 225–227. https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2024.00871
Lee, S., & Choi, H. (2015). Lowest-Low Fertility and Policy Responses in South Korea . https://www.ipss.go.jp/webjad/WebJournal.files/population/2009_4/Web%20Journal_03.pdf
Lewis, S. (2015). Review of Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.) . https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839915580941
Lim, S. (2021). Socioeconomic differentials in fertility in South Korea. Demographic Research , 44 , 941–978. https://doi.org/10.4054/demres.2021.44.39
Neuman, WL (2017). Social research methodology: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th edition) . https://dpk.kepriprov.go.id/opac/detail/09w1z
Nuraini, D. (2024). The decision to not marry and not have children in South Korea is adopted by Muslims today. In FiTUA Journal: Journal of Islamic Studies (Vol. 5, Issue 2). https://ejournal.stitbima.ac.id/index.php/fitua
OECD. (2019). Society at a glance: South Korea fertility and family policies . https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/03/society-at-a-glance-2019_g1g9f661/soc_glance-2019-en.pdf
OECD. (2024). OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2024 . https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-surveys-korea-2024_c243e16a-en.html
Oktabriyantina, W. (2025). The Childfree Choice and Female Labor Market Participation: Evidence from Indonesia. Journal of Scientific Research, Education, and Technology (JSRET) , 4 (2), 989–1002. https://jsret.knpub.com/index.php/jrest/article/view/769
Ramadhan, AR (2025a). Reproductive rights and childfree in Islamic law: A juridical analysis. In Proceedings of Islamic Law Conference (Vol. 7, Issue 1). https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/619939-hak-reproduk-dan-kebatasan-childfree-d-4189da55.pdf
Saogi, A., Mesraini, M., & Saputa, MR (2025). Analysis of the Childfree Phenomenon from the Perspective of Maqāṣid al-Syāri'ah as the Legal Basis of Islamic Family Law in Indonesia. AL-MUSTAQBAL: Journal of Islamic Religion , 2 (3), 157–176. https://ibnusinapublisher.org/index.php/AL-Mustaqbal/article/view/215
Utomo, A., Ananta, A., & Setyonaluri, D. (2022). A second demographic transition in Indonesia? China Population and Development Studies , 6 (3), 288–315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42379-022-00115-y
Wafda, H., & Mubarok, MN (2023). Childfree in the Maqashid al-Shariah Perspective Fatwa Study of Sheikh Syauqi Ibrahim Abdul Karim 'Allam. El-Hijaz , 2 (1), 10-21. . https://ojs.mauwh.sch.id/index.php/hj/article/download/15/12/52
Wicaksono, F., & Mahendra, D. (2016). Determinants of Fertility: A Multilevel Approach. Widya Scientific Journal , 134 . Https://Www.Researchgate.Net/Publication/307171204_Determinan_Fertilitas_Suatu_Pendekatan_Multilevel
Zaine, MZA (2023). The Childfree Phenomenon in Indonesia: An Islamic Law Perspective . https://repository.unisma.ac.id/handle/123456789/9053
Zed, M. (2014). Library research methods (3rd edition) . Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=zG9sDAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=id#v=onepage&q&f=false
Zuhriah, E., Rahmawati, ES, Aprilyanti, M., Chaidaroh, U., & Cholil, M. (2023). Childfree, the digital era, and Islamic law: views of Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and gender activists in Malang, Indonesia. Samarah: Journal of Family Law and Islamic Law , 7 (3), 1606–1626. https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/samarah/article/view/17753
Published
2025-12-12
How to Cite
Lestari, Annida, Aida Makbullah, Dzahra Faila, Oot Hotimah, and Wini Mustikarani. FiTUA: Jurnal Studi Islam 6, no. 2 (December 12, 2025): 278-292. Accessed December 20, 2025. https://ejournal.stitbima.ac.id/index.php/fitua/article/view/1127.
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Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Annida Putri Lestari; Aida Makbullah, Dzahra Faila, Oot Hotimah, Wini Mustikarani
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