Documentary: O’Callaghan Investigates Falling Birth Rates in Ireland and South Korea
The new RTÉ film traces the social impact of declining fertility, from closing schools in Kerry to a women’s podcast in Seoul.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Miriam O’Callaghan travels from Ireland to South Korea in a new documentary about the global drop in birth rates. The film airs on RTÉ One at 9:35 p.m. on Wednesday.
The program begins in south Kerry, where a sharp decline in births over the last decade has forced small schools to close. Local GAA clubs have also suffered as a result of the shrinking population.
The journey continues to South Korea, which currently holds the world’s lowest fertility rates. O’Callaghan visits the country to examine a society where many people no longer want children.
The documentary also features a segment from a women’s podcast. There, O’Callaghan discusses her own life as a mother of eight. She explains how she balanced a public career with raising a large family.
The film includes interviews with several well-known figures. Social commentator David Quinn and economist David McWilliams offer their views on the issue. Economist Dan O’Brien also appears in the documentary.
The production addresses the housing crisis in Ireland. It notes that the lack of affordable accommodation makes it difficult for people in their 20s and 30s to start families. Home ownership remains out of reach for many young adults in the country.
O’Callaghan reflects on her personal feelings about having eight children. She admits she once felt embarrassed by her large family due to global overpopulation warnings. She now believes she is helping the world. "I made a choice to spend my entire income on childcare," she says. "It’s bigger than the mortgage."
