Pet Strollers Outsell Baby Carriages in South Korea

The shift underscores the nation's demographic crisis and evolving societal priorities.

South Korea's fertility rate hit a record low of 0.78 in 2022 and is projected to fall further.
In 2023, 57% of strollers sold on Gmarket were for pets, reflecting a significant rise in pet ownership.
Government incentives and policies have so far struggled to reverse the declining birth rate.
High living costs and shifting cultural norms deter young South Koreans from marriage and parenthood.
South Korea's demographic crisis mirrors similar trends in other East Asian countries like Japan and China.