Analysis of population education related to low birth rate and aged society reflected in the 2022 revised curriculum

Objectives To strengthen the link between population policy and school population education, this study analyzed the reflection of population education compared to the low birth rate and aging society reflected in the 2022 revised curriculum of morality, social studies, and practical studies (technology and family) based on the Fourth Basic Plan for Low Birth Rate and Aging Society. Methods To achieve the purpose of the study, the contents of low birth rate and aging society reflected in the 2022 moral, social, and practical (technology and family) curriculum achievement standards were mapped according to the analysis criteria, and then quantitative analysis (composition ratio analysis by promotion strategy, subject, and school level) and qualitative analysis (case analysis of curriculum achievement standards reflecting related contents) were explored to incorporate population education by subject. Results As a result, 50.0% of the 2022 revised moral, social, and practical (technical and family) curriculum reflected “adaptation to demographic changes,” followed by 32.26% of “creating a society that works together and takes care of together,” and 17.74% of “a society where everyone's capabilities are evenly displayed.” In addition, the percentage reflected by subject was 50% in practical (technical and family), 41.9% in social studies, and 8.06%, indicating that there are differences according to curriculum goals and contents. On the other hand, by school level, the percentage reflected in the high school curriculum was the highest at 53.23%, followed by the middle school curriculum at 27.42%, and the elementary school curriculum at 19.35%, indicating that the percentage reflected in the high school elective curriculum was the highest. Conclusions When establishing population policies at the national level, measures to revitalize population education should be considered, and school population education has interdisciplinary characteristics, so national social interest and educational policy efforts are needed to reflect population education in the curriculum, such as preparing a school population education content system and supporting teaching and learning.