February Births Hit Record Low... 16 Consecutive Months of Natural Population Decline

21,461 Born, Lowest February Since 1981 Statistics
Deaths Exceed Births... Natural Decrease of 2,313

Image source=Getty Images Bank

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] In February, the number of births nationwide was 21,461, the lowest since statistics began in 1981 (based on February). The 'natural population decrease,' where deaths outnumber births, continued for the 16th consecutive month.

According to the 'February 2021 Population Trends' released by Statistics Korea on the 28th, the number of births in February was 21,461, a 5.7% decrease compared to the same month last year. The crude birth rate, which indicates the annual number of births per 1,000 people, was 5.4. The monthly number of births has decreased year-on-year for 63 consecutive months since December 2015. The number of deaths was 23,774, a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. The crude death rate was 6.0.

Since the number of deaths exceeded the number of births, the population naturally decreased by 2,313 in February. The population decline has continued for 16 months since November 2019. Kim Sooyoung, head of the Population Trends Division at Statistics Korea, said, "The decline in marriages since 2012 combined with the trend of the average age at first marriage increasing by 0.2 years annually, along with a decrease in the population of women in their 30s, is causing a decline in births." He added, "Although deaths decreased in February, due to population aging, deaths could increase at any time, so the natural population decrease caused by the possibility of fewer births and more deaths is expected to continue."

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