South Korea will give young people $490 a month to socialize

In South Korea, the government took steps to get young people to go out and socialize.

The Ministry for Gender Equality and Family announced that thousands of dollars will be spent to get young “introverts” out of the house, with a resolution passed by the cabinet on Tuesday. According to the plan, a budget will be allocated for the education, vocational guidance and health support of “asocial” youth between the ages of 9 and 24.

With this step, the government intends to overcome the “asociality” known as “hikikomori” in the country, which has become a pandemic among young people. Young people who meet the conditions of the plan will also receive an allowance of $490 (9,500 TL) per month to cover some privileges and living expenses.

The Ministry emphasized that it will continue to support young people who stay at home to participate in social life.

The rapidly declining birth rates and shrinking workforce in South Korea put the government on alert. It is estimated that the country will be one of the most populous places in the world by the year 2044.

The government has taken steps to encourage motherhood before.