Turn Off the Lights to Make More Babies

Yes you heard it right, South Korea's Ministry of Health has taken a decision to turn off the lights in its offices every month so as to encourage its staff to go home early and well, make more babies. South Korea's Health Ministry's has taken this strange decision in a bid to increase its low birthrate.

Low birthrate is a grave problem that the fast-aging society of South Korea is facing. In South Korea's birthrate the average number of babies born during a woman's lifetime was the world's lowest at 1.19 in 2008 and it is feared, that the population will decline further in this decade. The nation is facing the fear of losing out on global economic competition due to lack of manpower. The ministry has also planned to give other incentives to boost birth rate, along with giving cash gifts, for staff who produce more than two babies. As the married staff of health ministry has an average of 1.63 children compared to average of 1.82 among all civil servants it has said in a statement that the lights will be turned off, at 7.30 pm every third Wednesday of the month to help the staff get dedicated to childbirth and upbringing. The health ministry is aiming to increase the average figure to 2.0 in two years time. The Internet is buzzing with views and comments coming from all over the world on this novel idea of the health ministry. Some people are also saying that the government should first tackle the issues relating to the cost of education and childcare which is a major hurdle for families wanting to have babies. What do you feel about this decision of South Korea's health ministry, please let us know. You can also participate in the poll given below.