Neha Arora’s video detailed South Korea’s generous maternity support, sparking debate by comparing it to India, highlighting contrasting population challenges in both countries
A video featuring an Indian woman living in South Korea has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion and comparison between the maternity support systems of South Korea and India. The video, posted by Instagram user @mylovefromkorea17, whose real name is Neha Arora, has amassed over 35 lakh views in just one day, with thousands of likes and comments pouring in.
Neha Arora, who is married to a South Korean man and recently gave birth to a child, shared the extensive government support she received during and after her pregnancy in South Korea. In her now-viral reel, she detailed the financial aid packages that stunned many viewers, especially from India.
As soon as her pregnancy was confirmed, the Korean government gave her Rs 63,100 for medical checkups and medicines, Neha explained in the video. Additionally, she was given Rs 44,030 to cover public transport expenses, whether by bus, taxi, or her private vehicle.
The support didn’t end there. Neha went on to reveal that she received a lump sum of Rs 1.26 lakh at the time of delivery, referred to as “Congratulatory Money on Delivery”.
Even after the baby was born, the financial assistance continued. After the birth of her child, the government gave her Rs 63,100 every month for the first year. Then Rs 31,000 per month for the second year, and Rs 12,000 per month from the child’s age of two until eight, she explained.
The video has not only gone viral due to the generosity of the benefits but also because it has sparked a wave of debate among social media users.
One Instagram user, Teni (@cktenny), commented, “If the Indian government provides money for being pregnant, then in no time, population will reach to 1 trillion.” While, another user said, “It’s good cause Korea’s birth rate is declining.”
Others chimed in with similar sentiments, acknowledging the logic behind such government policies in South Korea, which currently faces one of the lowest birth rates in the world.
One user left a personal comment, appreciating both the child and the policy, “Suhan (the child) is super cute. But I want to know that your son has two genes. Please make video on (does) Suhan have korean and Indian gene,” asking her if her child behaves more like an Indian or a Korean.
Some users, however, used the opportunity to highlight the stark difference in population dynamics between the two countries. “Why are Indians criticizing our law… Bro we really don’t want the government to give birth because our population is already very high and the lower class will start having dozens of children if this type of scheme will be passed here,” one user said.
The video and the subsequent discussion highlight the vast difference in demographic challenges faced by the two nations. While India is currently the most populous country in the world, with policies aimed at population control, South Korea is battling a declining birth rate, prompting the government to introduce generous incentives to encourage childbirth.
