South Korea's birth rate rises above 0.9 per woman as population aging accelerates

South Korea’s total fertility rate (TFR) reached 0.95 in the first quarter of 2024, with monthly rates of 0.93 in April and 0.85 in May. Analysts project the annual TFR will exceed 0.9 for the first time in seven years, driven by a 15.2% increase in births from January to May (12,2694 newborns) – the highest level since 2019.

Despite the rebound, the country’s demographic structure continues to age rapidly. Over the past decade, the youth population (0‑14) fell 24.9%, while the 65‑plus cohort grew 62%, surpassing 10 million and now accounting for 20.7% of the total population. The share of those aged 85 and older more than doubled.

The surge in births coincides with a sharp decline in obstetrics and pediatric services. The number of birthing hospitals fell from 620 in 2015 to 436 in 2023, a 29.7% drop, and several facilities have announced closures due to staff shortages. Recruitment rates for obstetrics and pediatric residencies remain low (61.4% and 20.6% respectively), raising concerns about the sustainability of essential maternal‑child care. Experts call for the government to treat maternity, neonatal and pediatric care as essential services, providing 24‑hour staffing, financial support, and robust patient‑transfer systems.