- Birth rate increases to 4.7 per 1,000 people in 2024.
- Fertility rate climbs from 0.72 in 2023 to 0.75 in 2024.
- Marriages surge by 14.9%, highest since 1970.
- Government policies and post-pandemic conditions contribute to the rise.
- Challenges persist with rates below the 2.1 replacement level.
In 2024, South Korea saw its birth rate rise for the first time in nine years. This increase brings hope to a country facing serious demographic challenges. Notably, experts link this change to post-pandemic societal shifts and effective government policies. As a result, many are watching closely to see if this trend will continue.
According to preliminary data from Statistics Korea, the crude birth rate in 2024 was 4.7 births per 1,000 people. This marks a break from the continuous decline seen since 2014. Additionally, the fertility rate rose to 0.75 from 0.72 in 2023. Furthermore, the total number of births reached 238,300, reflecting an increase of 8,300 (3.6%) compared to the previous year.
Interestingly, a notable rise in marriages also contributed to this positive trend. In fact, marriages surged by 14.9% in 2024, the largest jump since 1970. This brought the total to 222,422, the highest number recorded since 2019. Experts believe this surge happened because of the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, which had previously delayed many weddings. Consequently, more couples started families, boosting the birth rate.
South Korea’s Ongoing Battle with Low Birth Rates
The South Korean government is taking action to combat the low birth rate. They offer financial incentives, better childcare support, and policies to help balance work and family life. For example, they increased paternity leave from 10 to 20 days. Additionally, they extended subsidies for related expenses in small and midsize companies, making it easier for parents to manage work and family.
Moreover, companies like Booyoung are stepping in to support this effort. They provide generous childbirth bonuses, giving 100 million won to employees for each child. These incentives help reduce the financial burden of raising children. As a result, the government hopes to encourage larger families and create a more supportive environment for parents.
However, despite these efforts, South Korea’s fertility rate remains far below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. High living costs, a tough job market, and traditional gender roles continue to pose significant challenges. In fact, the average age of mothers at childbirth was 33.7 in 2024, showing a growing trend toward later parenting.
Meanwhile, the population decline continues, with deaths outnumbering births for the fifth year in a row. If this trend continues, the population could drop from its 2020 peak of 51.83 million to 36.22 million by 2072. Therefore, to secure long-term demographic stability, South Korea must keep addressing economic issues, changing societal norms, and providing solid support for families.