Politics · South Korea · 4 hrs ago
South Korea province pays grandparents to care for grandchildren
In South Korea’s North Gyeongsang province, grandparents are paid to care for grandchildren as part of a program aimed at filling childcare gaps.
People aged 60 and over can care for grandchildren from birth to age 10, for up to three hours a day, five days a week.
Participants receive about 760,000 won a month, an employment contract and four types of social insurance.
The scheme is designed to support working and larger families while creating jobs that use older people’s experience.
More than 500 grandparents joined across 13 districts, exceeding this year’s target of 520; a survey also found less parenting difficulty for parents and improved relationship satisfaction and quality of life.
The program has been assessed as creating more social value than it costs, but concerns include health strain and the risk that care work falls mainly on older women.
North Gyeongsang province pays grandparents about 760,000 won a month to care for grandchildren as part of a senior employment program.
The scheme is aimed at filling childcare gaps in dual-income and larger families.
Participants aged 60 or older care for grandchildren aged 0 to 10, up to three hours a day, five days a week.
The program had 534 participants across 13 municipalities as of the end of last month, exceeding its target of 520.
A survey found that parents reported less difficulty with childcare, while relationship satisfaction and quality of life improved.
- Who
- North Gyeongsang province and grandparents aged 60 or older caring for grandchildren aged 0 to 10.
- What
- The province pays participating grandparents about 760,000 won a month under a senior employment scheme.
- When
- The pilot began last year; the article reports this year’s participation as of the end of last month.
- Where
- North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.
- Why
- To help fill childcare gaps in dual-income and larger families while providing older people with employment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The pilot began in 12 municipalities with 531 participants, exceeding its target of 480.
North Gyeongsang province signed an agreement to promote the grandparent-grandchild care program.
Cheongsong County joined the program and the planned participant total increased to 520.
The program had 534 participants across 13 municipalities, exceeding this year’s target.
- Monthly pay
- About 760,000 won
- Eligibility
- Grandparents aged 60 or older caring for grandchildren aged 0 to 10
- Work schedule
- Up to 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
- Participants last year
- 531 across 12 municipalities
- Participants this year
- 534 across 13 municipalities as of the end of last month
- This year’s target
- 520 participants