South Korea's fertility rate rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years, fueled by a significant increase in marriages, preliminary data showed on Wednesday. This uptick suggests that the country's persistent demographic challenges may be beginning to stabilize.
Rising Fertility Rates
The fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years, climbed to 0.75 in 2024, up from 0.72 in 2023, according to Statistics Korea. While still among the lowest globally, this marks a positive shift for South Korea, which recorded the world's lowest fertility rate for eight consecutive years up to 2023.
Marriage Boom
The surge in births is closely linked to a 14.9% increase in marriages in 2024, the largest spike since records began in 1970. In 2023, marriages also rose by 1.0%, driven by a rebound from the pandemic-induced slowdown. These trends indicate a cultural shift towards more positive views on marriage and childbirth, as noted by Park Hyun-jung, an official at Statistics Korea.
“There was a change in social value, with more positive views about marriage and childbirth,” Park explained, highlighting the impact of delayed marriages during the pandemic and a rise in marriages among individuals in their early 30s.
Demographic Challenges Ahead
Despite this positive news, South Korea continues to grapple with a shrinking population, with 120,000 more deaths than births in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year of natural population decline. The capital, Seoul, reported a particularly low birthrate of 0.58, underscoring regional disparities. Meanwhile, the administrative city of Sejong remains the only major center experiencing population growth.
Looking ahead, South Korea's population, which peaked at 51.83 million in 2020, is projected to decline to 36.22 million by 2072, according to Statistics Korea’s latest projections. In response to the ongoing demographic crisis, the government has implemented various measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, including the establishment of a dedicated ministry focused on addressing low birth rates.
Reference(s):
South Korea birthrate rises for first time in 9 years, marriages surge
cgtn.com
