North Korea has launched a nationwide family support program aimed at promoting childbirth and improving conditions for families with multiple children. The Central Committee instructed provincial party committees to strengthen oversight and personally visit households to ensure the policy’s proper implementation.
Officials across provinces, including North Hamgyong and Rason, have begun door-to-door inspections of multi-child families. Teams made up of administrative officers, health workers, and members of the Socialist Women’s Union visit about five homes daily. Their tasks include verifying living conditions and renewing family certificates, which previously required parents to visit local offices.
The family support program was introduced to encourage population growth as North Korea faces declining birth rates and labor shortages. The Central Committee ordered local governments to report how they have supported multi-child families this year. Authorities must also assess whether mothers of two or more young children receive reduced work hours, longer vacation periods, and proper maternity benefits.
In Chongjin, the people’s committee formed “visitation teams for multi-children households” to ensure compliance. Officials now visit families directly, signaling a shift toward a more proactive approach. In the past, parents had to handle paperwork themselves at government offices.
The Rason party committee issued similar directives, reminding officials to remain professional and avoid accepting any hospitality during visits. Loudspeaker vehicles in the city promoted the family support program with slogans such as, “The state rewards women who have and raise many children.”
Despite these efforts, many citizens remain skeptical. Locals reportedly believe that while the government claims to support multi-child families, real assistance remains minimal. “People say the state only partially helps them and that life is still difficult,” said one source.
Analysts suggest that North Korea’s renewed family support program reflects broader state concerns about its shrinking population. The regime appears eager to project a caring image while maintaining control over family life and labor resources.
As the campaign continues, officials plan to complete inspections and collect data on living conditions before the year ends. Whether this family support program can meaningfully improve citizens’ lives remains uncertain in the face of economic hardship.
