Evolving Trends in Socioeconomic Determinants of Low Birth Weight in South Korea: Analysis of 1998-2021 Birth Data

Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical early-life factor that shapes human capital development across the lifespan, which may potentially impact long-term socioeconomic inequality. This study examines the relationship between LBW and parental socioeconomic characteristics using 1998-2021 Birth Statistics. We examine disparities in birth outcomes based on parental education, occupation, and marital status, highlighting the role of social inequalities in shaping these outcomes. Higher parental education is linked to greater birth weights and a decreased likelihood of LBW, with maternal education playing an increasingly important role in recent years. Similarly, parental employment in white-collar occupations is associated with improved birth outcomes. In contrast, children born out of wedlock are more likely to have lower birth weights and a higher risk of LBW, an effect that has grown more significant over time. These findings emphasize the need to consider the dynamic nature of these factors in the development of policies aimed at addressing LBW.