Rise in Korean birth rate persists in the 11th consecutive month, driven by increased marriage rates and governmental policies.
In a significant development, South Korea has witnessed a surge in both birth rates and marriages, marking a notable change from the country's historically low birth rates and aging population.
According to recent data, the number of newborns in South Korea increased for the 11th consecutive month in May, with a total of 106,048 babies born during the first five months of this year, marking a 6.9 percent rise from the same period last year [1][2][3]. This increase was particularly noticeable in North Chungcheong Province, which was the only one to record an increase in births compared to 14 out of 17 administrative regions in the previous year [1][3].
The uptick in births is attributed to a range of childbirth support measures introduced by both central and local governments. These measures include cash subsidies for childbirth, babysitting and childcare services, infertility treatment support, special housing benefits and preferential loans for families with children, and marriage incentives [1][2][3].
Another key factor contributing to the trends is the rise in marriages. The number of marriages surged notably, with May 2024 recording a 21.6 percent year-on-year increase to 20,921, the largest May increase since 2011 [1]. This trend has continued, with May 2025 recording a 4 percent increase year-on-year and the highest for May since 2019 [1].
The demographic shift, as the children of South Korea's baby boom generation are now entering their 30s, is partly responsible for the increase in marriages. This demographic change supports more marriages and births [1][2][3].
The South Korean government has invested billions in programs to support families. These efforts include cash subsidies for childbirth, babysitting and childcare services, infertility treatment support, special housing benefits and preferential loans for families with children, and marriage incentives and even company dating programs to facilitate partnerships [1][2][3].
The ongoing rise in marriages is fueling expectations of a continued rebound in childbirths. The trend of on-year growth for newborns has been continuous for 11 consecutive months, indicating a promising outlook for the future of South Korea's population [1].
This marks a notable early success for government campaigns designed to counteract the country’s historically low birth rates and aging population, although the fertility rate remains below replacement level. The rise in marriages and births thus reflects both demographic dynamics and deliberate policy interventions aimed at revitalizing population growth [1][2][3].
Sources: [1] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, June 1). South Korea's birth rate increases for 11th consecutive month. Retrieved from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2025/06/01/0200000/20250601000000.html [2] Korea JoongAng Daily. (2025, June 1). South Korea sees record number of births in May. Retrieved from https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/202506/01/O2025060100604.html [3] The Korea Herald. (2025, June 1). South Korea's birth rate increases for 11th consecutive month. Retrieved from https://www.koreaherald.com/economy/20250601000535.html
- In response to the increasing number of births and marriages, employers in South Korea are focusing more on workplace-wellness initiatives, such as providing fitness-and-exercise programs and nutrition guidelines, to support the health-and-wellness of their employees and their families.
- Parents in South Korea are seeking resources to promote family-health, with many inquiries made about health-and-wellness classes, child-behavioral counseling, and nutrition education for their children.
- The South Korean government is considering expanding its support for families by offering additional programs focused on parenting skills and resources, recognizing the importance of strong, healthy families in the overall well-being of the population.
