In a remarkable turnaround, South Korea, which previously held the title of the world’s least fertile nation at just 0.77 children per woman in 2025, is experiencing a surge in childbirths. This growth marks the fastest increase in 18 years, with a notable 6.2% rise, leading to a total of 233,708 babies born from January to November.
Adding to the positive news, the divorce rate in the country has also seen a significant decrease, dropping by 9.8% year-on-year to reach 6,890 cases by November. This trend is particularly encouraging, as many regions globally face similar challenges regarding declining birth rates, yet it often goes unnoticed compared to other pressing issues. East Asia, in particular, has been significantly impacted, with countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and China ranking among the ten least fertile globally.
South Korea’s recent baby boom offers hope for a sustained increase in fertility. In November alone, the Ministry of Statistics reported an impressive 20,710 births, the highest for that month since 2019, reflecting a 3.1% increase from the previous year’s 20,083 births. This rise in childbirths has nudged the fertility rate up to 0.79. Many believe that financial support for childcare has encouraged couples to consider having children despite the high living costs in the nation.
Furthermore, the future looks bright with marriage rates on the rise as well. According to Korea Times, the number of marriages increased by 2.7% year-on-year in November, totaling 19,079. This marks the 20th consecutive month of growth in marriage rates, coinciding with a larger portion of the population entering their 30s. Given that unwed pregnancies are rare in South Korea, this growth in marriages often leads to an increase in childbirths.
These positive developments are a beacon of hope for South Korea’s demographic future, showing that with the right support and societal changes, families are willing to grow and thrive.
