S. Korea's child population drops more than 25% in a decade

Summary

South Korea is facing a significant population decline, with the number of children under 18 falling below 7 million, a 25% drop over the past decade. The country's birth rate has drastically decreased, reaching a record low of 0.72 in 2023, well below the 2.1 replacement level. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the birth rate is expected to rise slightly in 2024, driven by factors like delayed marriages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, South Korea must take long-term action to address its demographic challenges and prevent further population decline.

Takeaways

• 😀 South Korea's population is rapidly declining, with the under-18 population falling below 7 million in 2024.
• 😀 This marks a more than 25% decrease in the under-18 population over the past decade, from over 9 million in 2014.
• 😀 Children under 18 now make up less than 13.5% of South Korea's total population, down from 18% in 2014.
• 😀 South Korea's median age is projected to rise to 63.4 by 2072, up from 44.9 in 2022.
• 😀 The total population is expected to shrink to around 36 million by 2072, down from over 50 million.
• 😀 South Korea's birth rate dropped sharply from 1.24 in 2015 to 0.72 in 2024, a record low by global standards.
• 😀 Initially, the birth rate was expected to fall to as low as 0.68 in 2024, but recent data suggests it may rise slightly.
• 😀 There was a 15% increase in November 2024 births, marking the largest jump since 2010.
• 😀 The rise in the birth rate is believed to be linked to a post-pandemic recovery in marriages and births after COVID-19 delays.
• 😀 Despite the rise, South Korea's birth rate remains far below the replacement rate of 2.1, which is necessary to sustain the population.

Q & A

What recent demographic milestone did South Korea's population reach regarding children under 18?

In 2024, South Korea's population of children under 18 fell below 7 million, marking a more than 25% drop over the past decade.

How has the proportion of children under 18 changed in South Korea from 2014 to 2024?

Children under 18 represented 18% of South Korea's total population in 2014, but by 2024, that proportion had dropped to less than 13.5%.

What is the projected median age of South Korea by 2072?

The median age in South Korea is projected to rise to 63.4 years by 2072, up from 44.9 years in 2022.

What is the expected population of South Korea by 2072?

South Korea's population is expected to fall to around 36 million by 2072, down from over 50 million in 2022.

How has South Korea's birth rate changed since 2015?

South Korea's birth rate dropped from 1.24 in 2015 to just 0.72 in 2024, significantly below global replacement levels.

What was the initial forecast for South Korea's birth rate in 2024, and how does it compare to the current trend?

The initial forecast for South Korea's birth rate in 2024 was as low as 0.68, but the rate is now expected to rise to about 0.74, based on recent data.

What was the major factor behind the rise in South Korea's birth rate in 2024?

The rise in South Korea's birth rate in 2024 is believed to be influenced by delayed marriages during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an increase in marriages and births after the pandemic.

What has been the largest increase in South Korea's birth rate in recent years?

In November 2024, the number of births in South Korea increased by nearly 15% compared to the previous year, the biggest rate of increase since 2010.

Why is a birth rate of 0.74 still considered problematic for South Korea's population sustainability?

A birth rate of 0.74 is still far below the replacement level of 2.1, which is needed to sustain South Korea's population.

Can South Korea rely on the recent increase in birth rates as a long-term solution to its population decline?

No, South Korea cannot rely on temporary factors such as delayed marriages for long-term population stability. Structural changes and broader solutions are needed to address the population decline.