Increase in South Korean birth rates during January-May period reaches a new high
South Korea Sees Modest Growth in Birth Rate Amidst Government Incentives
South Korea has experienced a significant increase in the number of newborns in recent years, with a 6.9% rise in the first five months of 2025, marking the highest growth rate since data collection began in 1981. This surge follows South Korea's first annual increase in the number of births in over a decade.
The low birth rate in South Korea has been attributed to several factors, including economic pressures, urbanization, delayed marriage and childbirth, and broader social and cultural attitudes. High housing costs and the expensive cost of raising children make people hesitant to have more children, while urbanization leads to smaller family sizes and modern lifestyle preferences. The average age at first birth is 33 years, which limits the total number of children a woman can have and increases fertility challenges.
In response to this demographic challenge, the South Korean government has taken aggressive action. In 2025, the government allocated 88.5 trillion won ($64.8 billion) to address low fertility and an aging population. Of this, 28.6 trillion won is aimed specifically at increasing the fertility rate through measures such as cash handouts for babies and parents. Another 12.2 trillion won is allocated to support local government projects to tackle demographic challenges.
These efforts have coincided with a recent, modest 11-month consecutive increase in births and marriages. The government is also addressing childbirth-related risks with specific funding to compensate for brain damage or death during childbirth.
However, South Korea’s total fertility rate remains very low at 0.79 children per woman, which is among the lowest globally. The country still faces population decline because deaths exceed births.
Neighboring Japan, with the world's second-oldest population after Monaco, also faces similar issues due to strict immigration rules leading to growing labor shortages. Many government benefits in South Korea do not cover parents who are not legally married.
The increase in births in South Korea is linked to an increase in the number of women in their early 30s and subsequent marriages. April 2025 saw a spike in births, with year-on-year growth reaching 8.7%. The number of births totalled 20,717 that month.
The South Korean government's aggressive investment in financial incentives and support programs is a positive step towards reversing the demographic trend, but the impact so far has been limited. It remains to be seen whether these efforts will be sufficient to address the root causes of the low birth rate and maintain population stability in the long term.
References:
- South Korea's Child Benefits: A Comparative Analysis
- South Korea's Low Birth Rate: Causes and Solutions
- South Korea's Birth Rate Rises for First Time in a Decade
- South Korea's Population Decline: The Impact and Solutions
- South Korea's Low Birth Rate: A Global Perspective
The South Korean government's emphasis on increasing financial incentives and implementing support programs for families could potentially improve the health and wellness of future generations, considering the correlation between economic support and higher fertility rates. Moreover, addressing immigration policies might alleviate labor shortages and contribute to the growth of both the population and the science sector, as a diverse population often spurs innovation.
