Both Births and Marriages Rebound
Births See Largest Increase in 14 Years
The number of marriages last year increased for the second consecutive year, making it certain to surpass 200,000. This is the first time in four years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of marriages in November last year was 18,581, an increase of 1,887 (11.3%) compared to the previous year. Pixabay
According to population trends announced by Statistics Korea, the number of marriages in November last year was 18,581, an increase of 1,887 (11.3%) compared to the same month the previous year. The number has been rising for eight consecutive months since April last year. The double-digit growth rate has been maintained for five consecutive months.
The cumulative number of marriages from January to November last year was 199,903, already exceeding the annual cumulative marriage numbers for 2021 to 2023, even without including December figures. Adding December’s data, the total number of marriages last year is expected to easily surpass 200,000. The annual number of marriages recorded 213,502 in 2020, but for the three years from 2021 to 2023, it did not reach 200,000 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Positive perceptions of marriage are also spreading. According to Statistics Korea’s “2024 Social Survey Results,” 52.5% of the population believes “one should get married,” marking the highest proportion in the past eight years.
The increase in marriages is especially welcome because it leads to a rise in births with a lag of one to two years. In fact, the number of births last year is very likely to exceed the low point recorded in 2023. The number of births in November last year was 20,095, a 14.6% increase compared to the same month the previous year, and has exceeded 20,000 for five consecutive months since July. The growth rate is also the highest in 14 years since November 2010 (17.5%).
Divorces have been decreasing for five consecutive years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of divorces in November last year was 7,638, a 3.6% decrease compared to the same month the previous year. The cumulative number of divorces from January to November last year was 83,599, down 1.8% from the same period the previous year. If the current trend continues, the annual number of divorces is expected to be around 90,000. The crude divorce rate, which indicates the number of divorces per 1,000 people, has also fallen from 2.2 in 2019 to 1.8 in 2023. This is the lowest figure since statistics began to be compiled. The decrease in divorces is interpreted as being influenced by the sharp decline in marriages during the COVID-19 period.
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