Wed Nov 27 04:31:31 UTC 2024: ## South Korea Sees Largest Baby Boom in 13 Years, but Fertility Rate Remains Critically Low
**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korea experienced an unexpected surge in births in September, marking the largest year-on-year increase in nearly 14 years. Statistics Korea reported 20,590 babies born, a 10.1 percent jump from the previous year. This follows a trend of increased weddings in the latter half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, attributed to couples delaying marriages during the pandemic, according to agency officials.
The third quarter of 2024 also saw an 8 percent rise in births compared to the same period last year, the strongest quarterly increase since 2012. However, despite this positive development, the total fertility rate remains alarmingly low at 0.76 for the third quarter and 0.74 for the first nine months of the year. While this is higher than the record low of 0.72 for all of 2023, it is far below the 2.1 births per woman needed to maintain a stable population. Officials suggest the full-year 2024 figure may reach 0.74 if the current trend continues.
While the increase offers a glimmer of hope, it is considered too early to declare a rebound. The nation continues to grapple with its ultra-low birth rate and rapidly aging population. The government’s ongoing efforts to incentivize marriage and childcare through various benefits continue.
September also saw a significant 18.8 percent year-on-year increase in marriages, the highest ever recorded. Conversely, deaths increased by 3.8 percent to 29,362, resulting in a natural population decrease of 8,772. The number of deaths has consistently outpaced births since the fourth quarter of 2019.
First Piper 