South Korea Sees Rise in Birth Rate and Marriages Post-COVID

Seoul, February 25: South Korea has witnessed a significant increase in the number of births over the past 15 years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

According to government data, the number of babies born in 2025 has seen the fastest growth in the last 15 years, resulting in the country’s total fertility rate rising to 0.8 for the first time in four years.

Statistics from the Ministry of Data and Statistics indicate that a total of 254,500 babies were born last year, which is an increase of 6.8 percent or 16,100 more than in 2024. The ministry plans to release final figures in August. This marks the second increase in birth rates since 2010, with a notable surge expected in 2025.

The total fertility rate this time stood at 0.8, which is 0.05 higher than the previous year. Experts believe that this increase in the fertility rate has been more pronounced over the past four years. The ministry attributes the rise in newborns to an increase in marriages and a steady growth in the population of women aged 30 and above since 2021, which is the prime age for childbirth.

The ministry stated, “The number of marriages has increased continuously for 21 months from April 2024 to December of the previous year, as couples who postponed their weddings due to the COVID-19 pandemic are now tying the knot. The rise in marriages has also positively influenced the birth rate.”

Government official Park noted a significant shift in societal attitudes towards childbearing. The latest biennial survey from the ministry in 2024 showed an increase in the number of people wishing to have children after marriage compared to two years ago. Additionally, the proportion of individuals interested in having children outside of marriage has also risen.

Officials are optimistic that this figure will remain above 0.8 this year and could reach 1 by 2031. Furthermore, data revealed that the mortality rate is projected to rise by 1.3 percent annually in 2025, reaching 363,400, resulting in a natural population decline of 110,000.