Youth policy budget of 43.3 trillion won next year — new marriage support payment, childbirth welcome payment and basic child allowance
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The government announced that it will expand next year's youth policy budget by 53.5%, from 28.2 trillion won this year to 43.3 trillion won, and newly introduce a marriage support payment of 1 million won, a childbirth welcome payment (10 million to 20 million won at childbirth) and a basic child allowance.
Key facts
| Budget | Government announcement (planned) — investment across youth growth stages rises from 28.2 trillion won this year to 43.3 trillion won next year (a 53.5% expansion) |
|---|---|
| Marriage support payment | Government announcement (planned) — a new payment of 1 million won once in a lifetime (the marriage, childbirth and adoption tax credits converted into fiscal support, with cash programs related to low birth rates consolidated) |
| Childbirth welcome payment | Government announcement (planned) — from July 2027, 10 million to 20 million won at childbirth, paid in 4 installments a year |
| Basic child allowance | Government announcement (planned) — from July 2027, up to 600,000 won a month for ages 0-1 and up to 300,000 won a month for ages 2-12 |
| Housing | Government announcement (planned) — more than 50% of the new universal public rental housing volume supplied to young people, a new supply of 'universal jeonse housing for youth', and expanded support for youth monthly rent and jeonse deposit return guarantee fees |
| Jobs and education | Government announcement (planned) — an incentive of 7.2 million won a year when small and medium or mid-tier enterprises and others hire young people, new full scholarships at regional national universities, and regional talent scholarships expanded from 4,000 to 10,000 people |
| Young people in military service | Government announcement (planned) — up to 550,000 won a month can be paid into the 'Soldier Tomorrow Preparation Savings' (병내일준비적금), with the government matching 100% of the amount paid in |
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The government announced on the 28th, at the 'Youth Budget UNBOXING 2027' event chaired by the President, the 'Comprehensive Investment Strategy by Youth Growth Stage' (청년 성장단계별 종합투자 추진전략) prepared jointly by the relevant ministries. Investment across youth growth stages is to be expanded by 53.5%, from 28.2 trillion won this year to 43.3 trillion won next year. The marriage, childbirth and adoption tax credits are to be converted into fiscal support, and cash programs related to low birth rates are to be consolidated into a new 'marriage support payment' (혼인지원금) of 1 million won once in a lifetime. From July 2027, a 'childbirth welcome payment' (아이맞이지원금) of 10 million to 20 million won at childbirth, paid in 4 installments a year, is to be introduced, and a 'basic child allowance' (아동기본수당) is to be introduced at the same time, providing up to 600,000 won a month for children aged 0-1 and up to 300,000 won a month for children aged 2-12. In housing, more than 50% of the volume of the newly introduced universal public rental housing is to be supplied to young people, a 'universal jeonse housing for youth' (청년 보편형 전세주택) is to be newly supplied, and support for youth monthly rent and for jeonse deposit return guarantee fees is to be expanded.
Background — why this change
The government said it has decided to reframe youth policy as 'Korea's investment in the potential of young people', to address the fact that existing youth policies were pursued around individual programs, making it hard for young people to find and use the support they need in time. According to the materials, among the 2030 generation (people in their 20s and 30s) the number of people who were 'resting' stood at 651,000 as of last month, an increase of 240,000 from July 2016, and the asset gap between older and younger age groups widened from 2.4 times in 2012 to 3.9 times in 2024. The strategy consists of three areas: restoring the ladder of growth mobility, easing gaps at the starting line, and strengthening quality of life. For funding, the government plans to create a 'Future Response Fund' (미래대응기금) financed mainly by additional tax revenue.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How much is the marriage support payment, and when is it paid?
This is a plan contained in the 'Comprehensive Investment Strategy by Youth Growth Stage' announced by the government on August 28, 2026. The government said it will convert the marriage, childbirth and adoption tax credits into fiscal support and consolidate cash programs related to low birth rates to create a new 'marriage support payment' of 1 million won once in a lifetime. The announcement materials did not state a payment date, and it is currently at the planning stage, so whether it is actually implemented and on what conditions must be confirmed through later official government guidance.
When will the childbirth welcome payment and the basic child allowance take effect?
The government said they will take effect from July 2027. The childbirth welcome payment would pay 10 million to 20 million won at childbirth in 4 installments a year, and the basic child allowance would provide up to 600,000 won a month for ages 0-1 and up to 300,000 won a month for ages 2-12. This is a plan contained in the 'Comprehensive Investment Strategy by Youth Growth Stage' announced on August 28, 2026, and it has not yet reached implementation.
How will housing support for young people change?
The government said that more than 50% of the volume of the newly introduced universal public rental housing will be supplied to young people, and that it will newly supply a 'universal jeonse housing for youth' with a raised support ceiling. It also said support for youth monthly rent and for jeonse deposit return guarantee fees will be expanded. This is a plan contained in the 'Comprehensive Investment Strategy by Youth Growth Stage' announced on August 28, 2026, and it has not yet reached implementation.