Japan's Birth Rate Hits Record Low as South Korea Sees First Increase in Nine Years

Japan faces a worsening demographic crisis with record population decline, while South Korea reports a slight rise in births attributed to increased marriages and policy measures.

Japan recorded 720,988 births in 2024, a 5% decrease from the previous year, marking the lowest number since records began in 1899.
Deaths in Japan reached a record 1.62 million in 2024, resulting in a population decline of nearly 900,000 people, with two deaths for every birth.
South Korea's fertility rate rose from 0.72 in 2023 to 0.75 in 2024, the first increase in nine years, driven by a 14.9% surge in marriages and government incentives.
Both Japan and South Korea are grappling with aging populations, but Japan's fertility rate remains higher at 1.2 compared to South Korea's 0.75, the lowest in the world.
Experts highlight the need for comprehensive societal reforms, including improved work-life balance and gender equality, to address long-term demographic challenges in both nations.