Indian Mom’s ₹1.26 Lakh ‘Congratulatory Aid’ from South Korea Sparks Viral Debate on Maternity Support
Seoul/New Delhi, September 11, 2025 – An Indian woman’s viral Instagram video detailing South Korea’s generous maternity support has captivated social media, highlighting the Asian nation’s robust financial incentives for new mothers. Neha Arora, an Indian-origin woman married to a South Korean man, revealed she received ₹1.26 lakh ($1,500) as “Congratulatory Money on Delivery” after giving birth in South Korea, alongside additional monthly aid and transport subsidies. The video, posted on September 3, 2025, has sparked widespread admiration and debate online, with many in India marveling at South Korea’s family-friendly policies while others caution against adopting similar measures due to India’s population challenges. The story underscores South Korea’s aggressive efforts to combat its declining birth rate and prompts discussions about maternity support in India.
Neha Arora’s Viral Revelation
Neha Arora, a resident of South Korea, shared her pregnancy journey in a now-viral Instagram reel titled “I got paid for being pregnant in Korea,” which has garnered millions of views and thousands of comments. In the video, Arora detailed the financial support provided by the South Korean government, starting with ₹63,100 ($750) upon confirmation of her pregnancy to cover medical check-ups and medicines. She also received ₹44,030 ($525) for public transport expenses, usable for buses, taxis, or private vehicles. The most striking benefit was the lump-sum payment of ₹1.26 lakh ($1,500) at childbirth, officially termed “Congratulatory Money on Delivery.” Post-delivery, Arora received monthly stipends: ₹63,100 ($750) for the first year, ₹31,000 ($370) for the second year, and ₹12,600 ($150) monthly from ages two to eight, ensuring sustained support for child-rearing.
Arora, who gave birth to her son Suhan, also highlighted South Korea’s postpartum care system, including access to Sanhujoriwon (luxurious postpartum care centers offering rest, meals, and parenting classes) and Sanhudoumi (at-home caretakers for baby care and household help). She expressed gratitude for the support, noting it eased the financial and emotional burdens of motherhood. Her video, blending personal anecdotes with policy details, resonated widely, particularly among Indian viewers stunned by the contrast with India’s maternity benefits.
South Korea’s Maternity Support: A Response to Demographic Crisis
South Korea’s generous maternity aid is part of a broader strategy to address its critically low fertility rate, which dropped to 0.58 in Seoul in 2023, among the lowest globally. Facing an aging population and declining workforce, the government has implemented incentives since 2020 to encourage childbirth. In 2022, mothers received 2 million won ($1,510) upon a child’s birth, with monthly payments of 700,000 won ($528) for infants up to age one and 350,000 won ($264) until age two, increasing to 1 million won ($755) and 500,000 won ($377) in 2024. Additional benefits include medical cost coverage, infertility treatment, babysitting services, and even dating expenses to boost family formation.
In July 2024, the Seoul Metropolitan Government expanded support for women aged 35 and above, offering financial aid and medical assistance to counter the rising average age of childbirth. Local initiatives, such as Busan’s Saha District offering up to 20 million won ($14,560) for couples marrying through matchmaking events, further illustrate the government’s proactive approach. These policies aim to alleviate the financial burdens of parenting, particularly in a country with high private education costs (26 trillion won or $19.6 billion in 2022) and long working hours, which experts argue deter young couples from starting families.
Social Media Reactions and India-South Korea Comparisons
The video sparked a flurry of reactions on Instagram and X, with Indian users expressing awe at South Korea’s policies. One commenter wrote, “This is why Korea’s birth rate is low—they’re doing something about it!” Another remarked, “If India did this, our population would hit a trillion!” highlighting concerns about India’s 1.4 billion population and policies focused on control rather than incentives. Some praised South Korea’s family-centric approach, with a user noting, “It shows how seriously they value childcare.” Others, however, cautioned against comparisons, with one X post stating, “India’s challenges are different. We need jobs and education, not cash for babies.”
A personal comment caught attention, with a user asking Arora, “Suhan is super cute. Does he have Indian or Korean genes?” reflecting curiosity about her son’s cultural identity. Arora responded lightheartedly, promising a future video on Suhan’s mixed heritage, which further boosted engagement. The viral discussion underscored the stark demographic contrast between India, the world’s most populous nation, and South Korea, grappling with population decline.
India’s Maternity Benefits: A Contrast
India’s maternity support, while improved in recent years, pales in comparison to South Korea’s. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, mandates 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for women in the organized sector, up from 12 weeks, and includes provisions for crèches in workplaces with 50 or more employees. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for the second to partially compensate for wage loss, targeting pregnant and lactating mothers in rural and low-income areas. However, implementation gaps, limited coverage (only 27% of eligible women benefited in 2023), and bureaucratic delays have drawn criticism. Unlike South Korea’s universal cash transfers, India’s schemes are means-tested and exclude many informal sector workers, who constitute 90% of the workforce.
Experts argue that India’s focus remains on population control and maternal health rather than financial incentives for childbirth, given its demographic challenges. Dr. Sonalde Desai, a demographer, told The Hindu, “South Korea’s model suits a low-fertility context. India’s priority is ensuring access to healthcare and education, not cash handouts.” Posts on X echoed this, with one user stating, “India can’t afford Korea’s model. We need to fix hospitals first.”
Broader Implications and Policy Debate
Arora’s video has reignited discussions about enhancing maternity support in India. Some advocate adopting elements of South Korea’s model, such as transport subsidies or postpartum care, to support working mothers. Others, including opposition leaders, argue that India’s healthcare system, strained by underfunding (1.3% of GDP in 2024), needs structural reforms before cash incentives. The contrast also highlights South Korea’s holistic approach, integrating financial aid with postpartum care and workplace reforms, which India lacks.
South Korea’s policies, while generous, face criticism for not addressing deeper issues like work-life balance and gender inequality in workplaces, where women often face career setbacks post-childbirth. In India, similar challenges persist, with only 22% of women in the workforce compared to 57% of men, per 2024 World Bank data. The viral video has prompted calls for India to explore innovative maternity support, tailored to its context, such as expanding PMMVY coverage or improving rural healthcare infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
Neha Arora’s story has not only highlighted South Korea’s progressive maternity policies but also sparked a cross-cultural dialogue about family support systems. As South Korea doubles down on incentives to boost its birth rate, India faces the challenge of balancing population growth with equitable healthcare and education access. The viral buzz on social media, with hashtags like #KoreaMaternity and #IndiaVsKorea trending, underscores public fascination with such policies. Arora, responding to the attention, plans to share more content on raising a child in South Korea, keeping the conversation alive. Meanwhile, the Indian government has yet to comment on the viral story, but pressure is mounting for a review of maternity benefits as the 2026 budget approaches.
Sources: Korea Times, The Korea Herald, and posts on X.
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