South Korea’s demographic crisis might be taking a hopeful turn! 📈 For the first time in nearly a decade, the country’s fertility rate rose to 0.75 in 2024—up from a record low of 0.72 in 2023. That’s still the world’s lowest, but hey, baby steps count! 👣
The surge comes alongside a 14.9% jump in marriages—the biggest leap since 1970—as young couples finally tied the knot post-pandemic. 💍 'Delayed weddings during COVID and shifting social attitudes have played a role,' said Park Hyun-jung of Statistics Korea. More couples in their early 30s are saying 'I do,' and with marriage often seen as a prelude to kids, this could mean more diaper changes ahead.
Why does this matter? South Korea’s population has been shrinking faster than a K-pop fan’s patience during a concert delay. 🎤 The country recorded 120,000 more deaths than births in 2024, and its population could drop to 36 million by 2072. But Seoul’s latest stats offer a glimmer of hope after years of policies like cash bonuses for newborns and dating events to boost marriages.
Here’s the catch: regional gaps persist. Capital city Seoul had the lowest birthrate (0.58), while the tech-friendly hub Sejong saw population growth. 💻 Will the trend stick? Experts say one year isn’t a trend, but hey, it’s a start!
