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Marriage and child penalties: Evidence from South Korea

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  • Kim, MinSub

Abstract

This paper documents marriage and child penalties in Korea, where the female labor supply remains constrained by marriage and childbirth despite the urgent need to promote the female labor supply in the face of the world's most rapidly aging population. Using an event-study approach and nationally representative panel data, I find substantial marriage and child penalties in Korea. Unlike developed countries, Korea exhibits a significant marriage penalty that cannot be explained by childbirth-related factors. While marriage penalties declined during the 2010s, child penalties have prevailed despite the expansion of various family policies over the same period. The persistence of child penalties is discussed in relation to prevailing social norms and rigid labor market structures that limit mothers' labor supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, MinSub, 2026. "Marriage and child penalties: Evidence from South Korea," KDI Journal of Economic Policy, Korea Development Institute (KDI), vol. 48(1), pages 63-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:kdijep:341448
    DOI: 10.23895/KDIJEP.2026.48.1.63
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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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