South Korea’s Birth Rate Rises For The First Time In Nearly A Decade
South Korea has been concerned about its poor birth rate for years, as it’s one of the worst in the world. Now, the country has seen a bump in its birthrates for the first time in nearly a decade.
In 2024, South Korea welcomed 242,334 babies, marking the first increase in its annual figure since 2015. So, it’s the first boost in South Korea’s birth rate in nine years. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, “The official figure for childbirths rose by 7,295 from 235,039 in 2023, a 3.1 percent increase.”
While the rebound in childbirths offers a glimpse of hope in terms of the population decline, the country continued to get older. The average age for Koreans in 2024 was 45.3 years old, up from average age of 44.8 the previous year.
— The Korea Herald
Unfortunately, South Korea also recorded 360,757 deaths in 2024, which resulted in the population continuing to shrink for a fifth consecutive year.
South Korea’s population stands at 51,217,22, according to the latest tally by the ministry.
— The Korea Herald
Still, South Korea remains hopeful about the increase in childbirths. Previously, in June of last year, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a “national emergency on population” after attending a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy. It was organized to combat the country’s falling birth rate, as Korea’s fertility rate, which is the number of children a woman has in her lifetime, hit a record low of 0.76 in the first quarter of 2024 and was projected to fall to 0.68 later that year.
The total fertility rate for Korea has been trending downwards since marking 1.48 in 2000, dipping below the 1 for the first the first time in 2018 and marking a record low 0.72 in 2023.
— The Korea Herald
Since then, the government has launched measures to boost the country’s birth rate, such as financial incentives and state-run childcare services.
With the good news circulating social media, K-Pop fans joked about what may have really boosted the country’s birth rate. Netizens circulated clips of their favorite idols playing with kids.
everyone say thankyou to run jin episode 13 pic.twitter.com/I0FAZZAbAU https://t.co/ipndmLeeQH
— gay tuna (@jinfrosting) January 10, 2025
Oh i guess the propaganda is working well! https://t.co/jKzUWRKfiU pic.twitter.com/IrYnIDqE5v
— mei (@ildonly) January 9, 2025
everyone say thank you choi minhopic.twitter.com/NWU1pmDvgw https://t.co/ipk59ADYO1
— rahima ᥫ᭡. (@choisrose) January 10, 2025
south korea say thank you to this video pic.twitter.com/89ydL2DKWg https://t.co/F0nX9q8RiN
— mire⁷✶🦋💚 IS SEEING ATEEZ ✧ (@min__yoogi) January 9, 2025
Fans have often joked that such variety show content that showcases celebrities with children is actually “propaganda” to boost Korea’s birth rate. Read more below.
