South Korea's Birthrate Rises for First Time in Nine Years

A surge in marriages and government incentives contribute to a modest increase in the world's lowest fertility rate.

South Korea's fertility rate increased to 0.75 in 2024 from 0.72 in 2023, marking the first rise since 2015, though it remains far below the replacement level of 2.1.
The number of births grew by 3.6% to 238,300 in 2024, driven in part by a 14.9% surge in marriages, the largest increase since records began in 1970.
Government policies, including expanded parental leave, childcare support, and financial incentives, are credited with helping shift societal attitudes toward marriage and parenthood.
Despite the uptick, South Korea's population continues to shrink, with 120,000 more deaths than births recorded in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year of natural decline.
Experts warn that sustaining the trend will require addressing systemic challenges such as high child-rearing costs, unaffordable housing, and the burden on working mothers.