South Korea’s Birth Rate Expected to Rise for First Time in Nine Years
Increase follows a rebound in marriages delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s birth rate is projected to increase in 2024 for the first time in nearly a decade, driven by a surge in marriages that were postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country, which has the world’s lowest fertility rate, saw the number of newborns rise by 3% from January to November 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 220,094, according to government data released Wednesday.
In 2023, the number of births declined for the eighth consecutive year, dropping by 7.7% and bringing the fertility rate to a record-low 0.72—the lowest globally.
The recent uptick in births coincides with a rise in marriages, which increased in 2023 for the first time in 12 years. In South Korea, marriage and childbirth are closely linked, with many couples having children within one to two years of getting married.
A government survey last year found that 62.8% of South Koreans opposed having children outside of marriage, though this figure has decreased from 77.5% a decade ago.
Regional Trends and Policy Response
South Korea’s trend mirrors that of neighboring China, where births also rose in 2024, increasing by 5.8% to 9.54 million, largely due to pandemic-related delays in marriage.
In South Korea, the number of marriages between January and November 2024 surged by 13.5% to 199,903—the largest annual increase since 1980.
Recognizing the country’s demographic challenges, South Korea introduced new policies in 2023 to encourage marriage and childbearing. Now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol had declared a “national demographic crisis” and proposed the creation of a new ministry dedicated to addressing the issue.
Most government measures have focused on financial incentives, including tax cuts and subsidies. Couples who marry between 2024 and 2026 are eligible for a one-time tax reduction of 500,000 won ($349.35) per person. Officials have also signaled plans to adopt a more comprehensive approach to tackling the issue.
The full 2024 birth rate data is scheduled for release on February 26.