David COLEMAN

Emeritus Professor of Demography, University of Oxford

David COLEMAN
Times of the Remarks 2024. 11. 12. 08:55-09:15
Title Keynote Speech 1 - The Korean Fertility Crisis - A Case of Global Importance

Professor David COLEMAN read Zoology at Oxford University and studied for a Ph.D in Demography at the London School of Economics. After teaching science in Kano, Northern Nigeria, 1968-9, he was appointed lecturer in Biological Anthropology at University College London from 1970-1980. He then moved to become lecturer in Demography at Oxford University from 1980. Appointed Professor in 2002, he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2013. Coleman was a Fellow of St. John's College from 2001-2013 and a Lecturer at St Catherine’s College. He was the Special Adviser to the Home Secretary and later to the Ministers for Housing and for Environment in the UK Government 1985 -1987. His research interests mostly concern the demographic trends in the developed world: the future of fertility and the prospect of population decline, immigration and the demography of ethnic minorities. He has written or edited eight books and over 180 academic papers. ‘An unintended transformation; the impact of international migration on the United Kingdom’ and a new commentary on Malthus are books in progress. He has been an adviser to the United Nations and various governmental institutions. Coleman has three daughters, eight grandchildren and two dogs. Among other things he is interested in astronomy, naval history and model-making.


[Session Title and Description]

The Korean Fertility Crisis - A Case of Global Importance

Korea is in the front line of the fertility crisis of the developed world. Success in resolving it would be of global, not just national significance. Conventional measures have not worked well. Korea’s economy is world leading but social change has not kept pace. There are obvious problems in the relation between the sexes, the position of women and choices relating to work, marriage and family. These affect the attraction of marriage and the chances of children. Resolving that would need a change in culture and maybe redefining what it is to be Korean. That will be difficult and painful.