Statistics Korea reported Wednesday that the number of babies born in South Korea in August had dropped by the most since November 2020, with a total of 18,984 newborns, a decrease of 2,798 or 12.8 percent from the same month the year prior.
This is the lowest figure for any August since the agency began compiling related data in 1981, and the 11th consecutive month of year-on-year decline in the number of births. Meanwhile, the number of deaths rose 1.7 percent on-year to 30,540, resulting in a natural decrease in population by 11,556.
The trend of deaths surpassing births has continued for 46 consecutive months, reflecting the chronic decline in childbirths due to changing social norms, high housing prices, a tough job market, and an economic slowdown.
The number of marriages dropped 7 percent on-year to 14,610 in August, and divorces fell 2.1 percent on-year to 8,057. The total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime, was 0.7 in the second quarter of 2023 – much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep South Korea’s population stable at 51 million.
A father holds his newborn at Cha University Ilsan Medical Center, northwest of Seoul, in this file photo taken Jan. 1, 2023. The baby was the first born in South Korea this year. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
Related Articles (Yonhap Interview) U.S. recession, China’s downturn to slow S. Korean economic recovery: Fitch S. Korea’s inflation expected to ease to around 2 pct level in 2024: BOK governor S. Korea extends natural population decline on low births, aging demographic More than half of S. Korean regions facing population crisis