The Baby Gap: South Korea’s Falling Birth Rate
Out of 195 countries worldwide, South Korea consistently holds the title of the lowest birth rate. With fewer babies born every year, the country is facing a demographic puzzle that seems almost impossible to solve.
Currently, South Korea’s total fertility rate (TFR) stands at approximately 0.8. In comparison, the US has a TFR of around 1.6. South Korea’s birth rate has not always been so low. After the Korean War in 1960, the TFR stood at 6.0, representing the average number of children a woman would bear between ages 19 to 49.
What caused the birth rate to decline so dramatically over time? Based on nationwide surveys, young Koreans mention that the competitive school system and tight job market discourage them from starting a family. While applying to highly selective universities and gaining qualifications to secure stable jobs, they barely have time to consider parenthood. Raising children in Korea is also very expensive due to the high cost of childcare, education, and housing. In Seoul, a two-bedroom apartment can range from $725,000 to $1,030,000 USD.
South Korea’s declining birth rate has made a major impact on the country, so much so that it has recorded more deaths than births each year since late 2019. In 2025, the population naturally decreased by over 100,000 people. As the number of available, working-age citizens continues declining, the country’s workforce and productivity shrinks. The low birth rate also affects South Korea’s active military troops, which have dropped by 20% from 2019-2025. This could have serious consequences because South Korea is still formally at war with North Korea, which maintains one of the largest militaries in the world.
However, over the years, the South Korean government has consistently taken measures to address the issue. In 2006, they implemented the Basic Plan for an Aging Society and Population, which they update every five years. They also provide childcare services, housing assistance, and job support for new parents to relieve the financial burden of childbirth. The government even offers monthly parental allowances and support packages for families with newborns. In order to solve the ongoing issue and encourage childbirth, the country has spent over $270 billion USD in the past 16 years on various policies and programs.
Recent data shows the gradual results of South Korea’s efforts. After reaching the lowest TFR of 0.72 in 2023, it increased to 0.75 in 2024 and 0.8 in 2025. In 2025, over 254,000 children were born, rising 6.8% from the previous year. Though the increase was not significant, it marked the fastest rise in the birth rate in 15 years. While the recent growth in the birth rate offers a glimmer of hope, South Korea must continue to support young families and ensure that the small rise in births leads to lasting impact.
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Informational Sources:
Cho, Kyung Ae. “Korea’s Low Birth Rate Issue and Policy Directions.” Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing, vol. 27, 24 Mar. 24 2021, PubMed Central, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9334168/
Lim, Hui Jie. “South Korea’s Birth Rate Collapse Threatens Growth.”CNBC, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/27/south-koreas-birth-rate-collapse-threatens-growth.html.
Lim, Sojung. “The Necessary Paradigm Shift for South Korea’s Ultra-Low Fertility.” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 24 Sept. 2024, https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/09/24/the-necessary-paradigm-shift-for-south-koreas-ultra-low-fertility/.
World Bank. “Fertility rate, total (births per woman) – Korea, Rep.” World Bank Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=KR.
