"Population Has Increased" ...Goseong County Sees Total Fertility Rate Rise to 0.7 for Second Consecutive Year

Increased by 10.4% Compared to the Previous Year
Surpassing Both the National and South Gyeongsang Province Growth Rates

On March 4, Goseong County in South Gyeongsang Province announced that, according to the provisional 2025 total fertility rate results released by Statistics Korea, the county’s total fertility rate reached 0.70, representing a 10.4% increase compared to the previous year.

Goseong County Office.

This figure surpasses both the national growth rate (7.0%) and the South Gyeongsang Province growth rate (7.3%), making it significant as the county has shown a rebound trend for two consecutive years.

The total fertility rate is a representative indicator of fertility, referring to the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her childbearing years (ages 15 to 49). Goseong County recorded its lowest point at 0.62 in 2023, but has shown a gradual recovery, rising to 0.63 in 2024 and 0.70 in 2025.

Notably, the increase in 2025 marks the largest rise in recent years, and is viewed as a sign of potential structural change, rather than a simple improvement in numbers.

The recent rise in the total fertility rate is primarily attributed to the slowing decrease in the population of women in their early 30s, who make up the core childbearing age group, even as the overall population continues to decline.

This suggests that policies aimed at helping young people settle and establishing a stable living foundation are having some effect. It is noteworthy that these policies are not only increasing the number of births, but also helping to maintain and expand the population base capable of giving birth.

Goseong County has implemented tailored support measures covering all stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, such as childbirth incentives, the introduction of paternity leave incentives, support for traditional herbal medicine prescriptions, and the operation of the ‘Goseong Life One-Stop Guide and Support Center.’ The county plans to continue strengthening the environment to make it easier to have and raise children by discovering and adding new childbirth support policies.

Kim Jongchun, Head of the Population and Youth Promotion Division, stated, “The total fertility rate is a key indicator that determines the future vitality of Goseong County,” and added, “We will further strengthen practical support for childbirth and child-rearing, and continue efforts to expand an environment where young people can settle and start families.”

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