Misogyny & The Plummeting Birth Rates in East Asia

Written by Nishita Karikatti

Across East Asia, birth rates are plummeting, with countries like South Korea, Japan, and China struggling to reverse this trend. While many point to economic pressures and work-life balance issues, there’s a deeper factor at play: a culture of misogyny and outdated gender roles that discourage women from marriage and motherhood.

In many parts of East Asia, women are still expected to carry the bulk of household responsibilities, even if they hold full-time jobs. The traditional expectation that women must prioritize family over career creates immense pressure. For many, the idea of balancing a career and a family—without much help from their partners—feels like an impossible task. As a result, many women are choosing not to marry or have children.

Workplace inequality compounds this problem. Despite more women entering the workforce, they face limited career progression, lower pay, and a “motherhood penalty” that punishes them for having children. Women often feel they must choose between a fulfilling career and starting a family—an unfair choice that is pushing many to delay or avoid motherhood altogether.

Then there’s the issue of marriage itself. In many East Asian cultures, marriage still carries a strong patriarchal tone, with women expected to take a submissive role to their husbands. Younger generations, exposed to more progressive ideals, are increasingly rejecting these old-fashioned expectations. Many women are asking why they should commit to an unequal partnership that will likely lead to even more responsibilities and less freedom.

Governments in the region are introducing policies to try to boost birth rates, such as financial incentives, better maternity leave, and housing support. But these efforts miss the root of the problem. If women are expected to take on the responsibilities of raising children, they need more than just financial support—they need equal partnerships and a society that values their contributions in both the home and the workplace.

Addressing this issue means rethinking gender roles, sharing domestic responsibilities, and ensuring women have the same career opportunities as men. Only then can East Asia hope to reverse its declining birth rates and build a future where women feel empowered to make choices about family and career on their own terms.