Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee, stated on the 26th, "The number of births this year is expected to be in the 250,000 range, an increase of about 10,000 from last year," and predicted, "The total fertility rate will be around 0.79."
Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, is delivering a greeting at the 7th Population Strategy Joint Forum held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on February 18, 2025. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
At a press briefing held on the 26th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Vice Chairman Joo said, "This conclusion was reached after a comprehensive and internal review using various data such as the number of applications for pregnancy and childbirth vouchers, resident registration statistics, and marriage counts."
Regarding last year's total fertility rate, which rebounded to 0.75 after nine years, Vice Chairman Joo emphasized, "When looking at detailed indicators, positive changes are prominent."
He stated, "The increase of 0.09 in the total fertility rate in the fourth quarter is the highest quarterly rise in 12 years since the third quarter of 2012, which was 0.10. Considering that the total fertility rate itself had significantly declined during that period, this represents a more meaningful relative change."
He added, "Birth rates are generally influenced by seasonal factors, with the fourth quarter typically showing lower fertility rates. However, the fact that the fourth quarter fertility rate this time was similar to that of the first and third quarters is very encouraging."
Vice Chairman Joo continued, "Although the trend still needs to be observed further, it seems highly likely that the total fertility rate will rise again this year," and emphasized, "The government will continue to closely monitor birth statistics trends and do its utmost to create a marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing friendly environment and social atmosphere to realize this outlook."
He explained, "The rise in fertility rates by region has spread nationwide. In 2023, only one region, Chungbuk, among the 17 provinces and metropolitan cities saw an increase in fertility rate, but last year, 14 regions experienced an increase in total fertility rate, and especially in the fourth quarter, all regions showed an increase."
According to Statistics Korea on the day, the number of births per 1,000 women of childbearing age aged 25-29 decreased from 21.4 in 2023 to 20.7 last year, while for ages 30-34 it increased from 66.7 to 70.4, and for ages 35-39 it rose from 43.0 to 46.0.
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