Increase for 7 Months Since Last July…First Time in 10 Years and 5 Months
“Marriage Increase, Positive Change in Perception of Births Responsible”
On February 26, medical staff are caring for newborns at Ain Hospital in Michuhol-gu, Incheon. /Yonhap News
This January, the birth rate nationwide recorded its highest increase for the same month. As the number of marriages has been rising in recent years, there is optimism that the fertility rate, which rebounded last year, can continue its upward trend this year.
According to the “January 2025 Population Trends” published by Statistics Korea on the 26th, the number of births in January this year was 23,947, an 11.6% increase compared to the same month last year. This marks the first January increase in births since 2015, achieving the highest growth rate for January on record.
Years where January saw an increase in birth rate include 1982 (5.7%), 1988 (3.6%), 1991 (7.9%), 1992 (0.9%), 1994 (0.6%), 1996 (0.6%), 2000 (5.2%), 2004 (0.8%), 2007 (7.4%), 2008 (7.0%), 2011 (10.8%), and 2015 (1.7%).
The number of births has been on a continuous rise for 7 months since July last year, marking the first such trend in 10 years and 5 months since April to October 2014. While the number of births increased year-on-year in January in 14 regions including Seoul and Busan, it decreased in 3 regions including Daejeon and North Gyeongsang Province.
Statistics Korea attributes the birth increase to marriages that were postponed due to COVID-19 now taking place, resulting in more births. The number of marriages rose from 191,690 in 2022 to 193,657 in 2023, and to 222,412 last year. In January this year, there were 20,153 marriages, a 0.7% increase year-on-year.
A Statistics Korea official explained, “The increase in marriages, along with an increase in the population of women in their early 30s, the prime child-bearing age, is having an effect,” adding, “Changes in perception regarding childbirth have become more positive, as indicated by social surveys.”
He added, “While we should continue to observe whether the fertility rate will maintain its upward trend this year, the increase in marriages last year is a positive indicator.”
On the other hand, the number of deaths in January was 39,473, a 21.9% increase compared to the same month last year. Deaths increased in all regions. With more deaths than births, there was a natural decrease of 15,526 people (births-deaths).