South Korea experiences first baby boom in nine years as fertility rate rises

In South Korea, the birth rate experienced a notable rebound in 2024, marking the first increase in nearly a decade. According to the government’s statistics agency, 238,300 babies were born last year, reflecting an increase of 8,300 from the previous year. The country's fertility rate rose to 0.75, up from 0.72 in 2023, offering a glimmer of hope for a nation facing severe demographic challenges. The last time South Korea saw a rise in its yearly number of births was in 2015. Experts have highlighted the significance of this change, although it remains to be seen if this recovery is sustainable or a temporary spike within ongoing trends. Several factors are believed to contribute to this rebound. Park Hyun Jung, a senior official at Statistics Korea, noted that the uptick in the number of births can be attributed to an increase in marriages among couples who postponed their wedding plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, a growing number of individuals entering their early 30s may also play a role, as this age group typically shows a greater inclination towards starting families. Additionally, there has been a slight increase in the number of young individuals expressing a desire to have children after marriage, according to government surveys. Previously, South Korea's fertility rate had been the lowest among developed countries, with a striking drop below 1 in 2022. This posed a significant threat to the nation’s economy, causing potential labor shortages and rising welfare costs due to a declining population. The government has been increasingly offering financial incentives and support programs aimed at encouraging citizens to have children, but tackling the broader underlying issues remains a challenge. Young people face several barriers that make raising families particularly difficult in a competitive and rapidly changing environment, including the high cost of housing, educational expenses, and traditional gender roles placing a heavier childcare burden on women. Looking forward, Park believes that the fertility rate may continue its upward trend for at least another year. However, experts warn that whether this trend can sustain itself will largely depend on the stability of post-pandemic marriages and the demographic landscape, which may see fewer individuals in their 30s in the future. Some experts suggest that instead of broadly addressing various societal issues, the government should target support for young couples who wish to have children. By helping those individuals realize their family goals, experts believe that the fertility rate can stabilize and avoid a sharp decline in the number of births.