NextSharkNextShark.com

South Korea smashes own world record for lowest fertility rate

South Korea smashes own world record for lowest fertility rate

The average number of expected babies per South Korean woman over her reproductive life decreased from 0.81 in 2021 to 0.78 in 2022

February 22, 2023
SHARE
South Korea’s fertility rate has dropped yet again, beating its own record for the world’s lowest fertility rate.
According to Statistics Korea, the average number of expected babies per South Korean woman over her reproductive life decreased from 0.81 in 2021 to 0.78 in 2022.
The data is reportedly the lowest among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). As of 2020, South Korea has the lowest rate in the OECD, with its capital, Seoul, logging a birth rate of 0.59.
The country’s birth rate has been falling since 2015
In 2020, South Korea recorded more deaths than births. This trend has continued as the nation recorded about 249,000 births and 372,800 deaths in 2022.
Without immigration, countries need a fertility rate of 2.1 per woman to maintain a stable population.
Subscribe to
NextShark's Newsletter

A daily dose of Asian America's essential stories, in under 5 minutes.

Get our collection of Asian America's most essential stories to your inbox daily for free.

Unsure? Check out our Newsletter Archive.

The demographic declines are also present in other Asian countries, including Japan and China.
According to experts, the low fertility rates are due to demanding work cultures, rising costs of living, changing attitudes toward marriage and gender equality and rising disillusionment among younger generations.
In South Korea, many do not feel obligated to raise a child, citing the costly expenses amid the uncertainty of a bleak job market, expensive housing and gender and social inequality. Women have also cited the patriarchal culture of childcare and discrimination at work. 
The average age of South Korean women during childbirth rose to 33.5 last year. 
While the country’s population peaked at 51.84 million in 2020, it fell to 51.74 million in 2021. 
It is expected to shrink to 37.66 million by 2070.
Marriages have also been plummeting in the country amid the expensive costs of housing and education.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said more than $200 billion has been spent in efforts to boost the population over the past 16 years.
The government introduced multiple initiatives, such as offering monetary baby allowances of 1 million won (approximately $767) as an incentive for more births, foreign and low-cost nannies and extended paid paternity leaves. 
Social campaigns have also encouraged men to help in childcare and housework.
However, the initiatives have not shown success.
MOST READ
    HAPPENING NOW
      Michelle De Pacina

      Michelle De Pacina is a New York-based Reporter for NextShark

      SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

      RELATED STORIES FROM NEXTSHARK

      Support
      NextShark's
      Journalism

      Many people might not know this, but NextShark is a small media startup that runs on no outside funding or loans, and with no paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on help from our community and readers like you.

      Everything you see today is built by Asians, for Asians to help amplify our voices globally and support each other. However, we still face many difficulties in our industry because of our commitment to accessible and informational Asian news coverage.

      We hope you consider making a contribution to NextShark so we can continue to provide you quality journalism that informs, educates, and inspires the Asian community. Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for supporting NextShark and our community.

      © 2023 NextShark, Inc. All rights reserved.