Another Record Low in Births... Natural Population Decline Continues for 11 Consecutive Months

Statistics Korea, September Population Trends

Number of Births Down by 524 from a Year Ago, Deaths Down by 791
Marriages Decrease, Divorces Increase

(Photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The number of births in September this year recorded the lowest level ever. With the number of births fewer than the number of deaths, population decline has continued for 11 consecutive months, marking the longest period of decrease in history.

According to the September population trends announced by Statistics Korea on the 25th, the number of births was 23,566, down 524 (2.2%) compared to the same month last year. This is the lowest since related statistics began in 1981. By region, five provinces including Busan, Gangwon, and Chungbuk saw an increase, while 12 provinces including Seoul, Daegu, and Incheon experienced a decrease.

Based on the third quarter of this year, the number of births was 69,105, down 4,578 (-6.2%) compared to the same period last year. Accordingly, the total fertility rate for the third quarter was 0.84, down 0.05 from a year ago.

The number of deaths in September was 24,361, up 791 (3.4%) compared to the same month last year. Fourteen provinces including Seoul and Busan saw an increase, while Ulsan, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam experienced a decrease. The total number of deaths in the third quarter was 73,608, up 3,115 (4.4%) compared to the same period last year.

The natural population decrease, calculated by subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births, has continued for 11 consecutive months since November last year (-1,685).

The number of marriages in September was 15,324, down 474 (-3.0%) compared to the same month last year, while the number of divorces was 9,536, up 526 (5.8%).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.