South Korea’s fertility crisis deepens as national average falls to 0.72

This map shows just how dramatically birth rates vary—and plummet—across South Korea. With a national average of just 0.72 children per woman, and even lower in major cities like Seoul (0.55) and Busan (0.66), the country now holds the

South Korea’s fertility rate has continued its record-breaking decline. It reached an unprecedented national average of just 0.72 children per woman in 2023, according to new data from Statistics Korea (KOSTAT).

A closer look at the regional fertility map, compiled by The World in Maps from KOSTAT data, reveals significant disparities across the country:

Seoul, the bustling capital, registered the lowest fertility rate in the nation at 0.55, well below the national average.
Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, also reported a worryingly low figure of 0.66.
Some rural areas, such as parts of South Jeolla Province, on the other hand, recorded higher averages, ranging from 0.95 to 1.05, though still insufficient to sustain the population.

This regional divide highlights the significant disparity between urban and rural reproductive patterns, which are influenced by economic pressures, housing costs, and lifestyle factors that discourage childbearing in densely populated cities.

Experts at KOSTAT attribute the continued decline to multiple interlinked factors:

Economic Pressures: Soaring housing prices and job insecurity in urban centres have made it increasingly difficult for young couples to consider starting families.
Gender Inequality: Persistent workplace discrimination against women, coupled with the burden of childcare, has led many to delay or forgo having children altogether.
Changing Social Norms: A generational shift in attitudes toward marriage and parenthood is reshaping family dynamics, with more individuals prioritising careers and personal aspirations.

Despite extensive government efforts—ranging from cash incentives to expanded childcare support—the impact on fertility rates has been negligible. According to KOSTAT’s analysis, policy measures have not kept pace with the root structural challenges that deter young people from starting families.

The government’s latest initiatives, including increased parental leave and housing subsidies, have yet to reverse the downward trend. Analysts warn that without more fundamental reforms—such as improving gender equality, addressing youth unemployment, and rethinking housing policy—the country’s demographic crisis will deepen.

National implications

The implications of South Korea’s record-low fertility rate are profound. With an ageing population and shrinking workforce, the country faces a looming demographic cliff that threatens to strain its pension system, healthcare infrastructure, and overall economic productivity.

Demographers warn that without urgent action, South Korea’s population could begin to contract significantly by the 2030s, placing the country’s long-term economic competitiveness at risk.

Abigail Johnson Boakye