COVID-19 Triggered Population Cliff Becomes a Reality

US Newborns Decrease 4% to 3,605,201 in 2023, Declining for 6th Year
Korea's Total Fertility Rate at 0.84, Lowest in OECD... Likely to Drop Further Due to Fewer Marriages

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jung and Kwon Jae-hee] It has been revealed that birth rates in major countries have sharply declined due to the impact of COVID-19. The fear of infectious diseases, along with a bleak economic outlook, is interpreted as having influenced the drop in birth rates. There are also voices expressing concern that the population cliff triggered by COVID-19 is becoming a reality.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 5th (local time), the number of newborns born in the United States last year was recorded at 3,605,201. This is a 4% decrease compared to 3.75 million in 2019, marking the sixth consecutive year of decline. The annual decrease in the number of newborns is the lowest level in about 40 years since 1979. During the baby boom in the United States before the economic recession caused by the financial crisis in 2007, the annual number of newborns was 4.3 million.

The Associated Press analyzed, "Along with the fear of COVID-19, the perception that it is not a good idea to have and raise children immediately due to the bleak economic outlook has spread."

South Korea's birth rate is also rapidly declining every year. According to Statistics Korea, the total fertility rate in South Korea was 0.98 in 2018 → 0.92 in 2019 → 0.84 in 2020, recording the lowest level among OECD countries.

The problem is that birth rates may decline even more steeply this year as marriages decrease due to COVID-19. According to provisional birth and death statistics for 2020, the total number of births last year was 272,400, a 10% decrease from the previous year. This is the lowest level since statistics began in 1970. According to the World Population Status Report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the 14th of last month (local time), South Korea's total fertility rate in 2020 was 1.1, ranking last among 198 countries.

Kim Dong-seok, president of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Obstetrics and gynecology clinics are closing one after another, and delivery hospitals are disappearing in rural areas, forcing patients to travel for medical care," adding, "With marriages and births declining due to COVID-19, the total fertility rate is expected to hit a new low again this year." Experts assert that without drastic measures, a rebound in birth rates will be difficult.

President Kim emphasized, "The fact that massive budget investments have had minimal effect so far indicates that proper cause analysis has not been conducted," and added, "Since the government plans to invest 80 trillion won this year to address low birth rates and aging, it is necessary to reexamine the overall plan and provide focused support in areas where effects can be achieved." Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Sociology at Seoul Women's University added, "If the president does not take direct action, it will be difficult to reverse the birth rate decline," and stressed, "A comprehensive review of low birth rate measures reflecting the COVID-19 situation is needed."

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