South Korea’s birth rate has been on a steady decline since the 1990s, but in 2018 it hit a record low of just 1.28 births per woman, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The country’s population is growing slowly, meaning there are not enough workers to support an aging population.
While there are many reasons for the declining birth rate in South Korea, one reason is that young people are not marrying as much as they used to. In fact, the marriage rate for people between the ages of 20 and 29 was only 33% in 2018, which is the lowest on record. This is likely because young people are focused more on their careers than getting married and having children.
The South Korean birth rate has been decreasing for the past few years
South Korea’s birth rate fell to a record low again in 2018, according to the National Statistical Office. The rate decreased by 0.7 percent from a year earlier to 1.3 births per woman, which is the lowest recorded rate since 1982. This follows a trend of decreasing birth rates over the past few years. In 2017, the birth rate decreased by 1.1 percent from the previous year and in 2016 it decreased by 0.8 percent.
South Korea’s fertility rate is around 2 children per woman, which is below replacement level and considered to be an indicator of population decline. Low fertility rates can lead to increased social welfare costs and lower economic growth rates due to a smaller working-age population.
The decrease in South Korea’s birthrate can be attributed to a number of factors, including increasing education levels and improved economic conditions which are leading to more women choosing not to have children or having fewer children. In addition, there has been a shift in society towards childless couples being seen as acceptable, as well as increased awareness of the benefits of contraception among women.
Factors that contribute to the decrease in the birth rate
There are a few reasons for the recent decrease in South Korea’s birth rate. First and foremost, many couples are choosing to have fewer children because of the high cost of raising a child. Additionally, there has been an increase in awareness of the dangers of childbirth and the fact that premature babies often have more health problems later in life. And finally, many young people are choosing not to get married or have kids out of fear that they won’t be able to provide for them.
What this means for South Korea
South Korea’s birth rate fell to a record low again in 2018, according to data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO). The country’s fertility rate – the average number of live births per woman – was 1.21 in 2018, down from 1.27 in 2017 and below the replacement level of 2.1.
This means that South Korea is now on track to become a nation with a shrinking population. The trend is likely to continue as more and more young people are choosing not to have children or are having fewer children. In 2017, there were about 3.2 million births, but by 2030 that figure is expected to fall to just 2.1 million.
The declining birth rate has serious implications for the country’s economy, social welfare system and educational system. It’s also likely to lead to increased competition for jobs and resources, increased poverty and social unrest, and an overall deterioration of quality of life in South Korea.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the reasons behind the falling birth rate, some experts say that it may be due in part to South Koreans’ preference for urban living over rural living, as well as increasing stress levels and decreasing morale among young people.
How South Korea plans to combat the declining birth rate
South Korea’s birth rate fell to a record low again in 2018, with 1.21 children born per woman, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. The country’s fertility rate has been on a downward trend since the early 2000s, and many experts attribute the decrease to various factors, including economic uncertainty and changing social norms.
The government is working hard to address the declining birth rate and make sure that South Korea remains a society that is able to sustain its population. One way they are doing this is by offering financial assistance to couples who want to have children. They also enacted legislation that allows for flexible work hours so parents can spend more time with their children.
Some people in South Korea are worried about the future of the nation if the population continues to decline. However, others believe that it is important for South Koreans to take measures now in order to ensure a sustainable future for their country.
Conclusion
The South Korean birth rate fell to a record low again in 2018, according to the latest report from the country’s Statistics Office. The total number of births in South Korea was 10,521,230 last year, marking a decrease of 1.2% compared to 2017 and marking the fourth consecutive year that the birth rate has decreased. Notably, while both male and female births continue to decline nationwide, there was a notable drop in the number of births among women aged 30-39 years old (the age group at which most families have their first child), indicating that more couples are choosing to wait until after they get married before having kids.
