South Korea's Birth Rate Sees a Glimmer of Hope Amid Population Decline

For the first time in nearly a decade, South Korea has recorded an increase in births, raising hopes among government officials striving to combat the nation’s alarmingly low fertility rate. In 2024, South Korea welcomed approximately 238,300 newborns, a rise of 3.6 percent that translates to 8,300 more babies compared to the previous year. The increase comes as a result of a rise in marriages following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as cultural norms in South Korea often dictate that couples marry before starting a family.

Park Hyun-jung, a representative from the government’s statistical office, noted this trend as a potentially positive shift in societal attitudes towards marriage and parenthood. While demographic experts like Seulki Choi from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in Sejong City are cautiously optimistic, they emphasize that simply reversing a declining population will prove challenging, given that the elderly population vastly outnumbers the younger generations.

Despite this glimmer of hope, 2024 also saw an increase in deaths, totaling 358,400, a rise of 1.7 percent from the previous year, which underscores the ongoing demographic challenges South Korea faces. As officials continue to roll out family-friendly policies hoping to boost the birth rate, the long-term impact of this uptick will be critical in shaping the future of the nation.