June Birth Rate Hits Record High of 9.7%... Highest Growth for Q2 and First Half

19,953 Births in June, Up for 12 Straight Months
Highest Growth Rate on Record Since 1981
Marriage Also Rising
Driven by Population Growth and Changing Perceptions
27,270 Deaths in June, 7,317 Natural Decrease
Divorces Continue to Dec

Recently, as marriage and childbirth have increased, related statistical indicators have continued to trend upward. In June, the number of births rose by 9.4% compared to the same period last year, marking the highest growth rate on record. The growth rates for the second quarter (7.3%) and the first half of the year (7.4%) also reached all-time highs.

19,953 Births in June... 12 Consecutive Months of Increase

According to the "June 2025 Population Trends" released by Statistics Korea on August 27, the number of births in June was 19,953, an increase of 1,709 (9.4%) compared to the same month last year, marking 12 consecutive months of growth. For the month of June, this was the highest number of births since 2021. The increase was the largest for the same period since 2010. The growth rate was the highest since related statistics began in 1981. The total fertility rate for June-the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime-was 0.76, up by 0.06.

In the second quarter, the number of births was 60,979, an increase of 4,157 (7.3%). Both the number of births and the increase were the highest for the same period since 2021 and 2011, respectively. The growth rate was the highest ever recorded since statistics began. The total fertility rate for the second quarter was 0.76, up by 0.05. In the cumulative total for the first half of the year, there were 126,001 births, an increase of 8,721 (7.4%). The growth rate for the first half was also the highest since statistics began.

A Statistics Korea official said, "The increase in marriages that began in the first quarter of last year, the rise in the population of women in their 30s, and a more positive perception of childbirth have all contributed in combination." The official also explained that the effects of certain policies have played a role, leading not only to more marriages but also to an increase in births. This is how the rise in births has been attributed to these factors.

Marriage Also on the Rise... Impact of Population Growth and Changing Perceptions

As of June, the number of marriages was 18,487, an increase of 1,539 (9.1%), marking 15 consecutive months of growth since April last year. For the month of June, the number of marriages was the highest since 2018. The increase was the largest for the same period since 2015. The growth rate was the highest since June 2010.

In the second quarter, the number of marriages was 59,169, an increase of 3,264 (5.8%). This was the highest for the same period since 2019, and the upward trend has continued for six consecutive quarters. In the cumulative total for the first half of the year, there were 117,873 marriages, an increase of 7,817 (7.1%). The number of marriages in the first half was the highest since 2019.

A Statistics Korea official analyzed, "The increase in the population after the early 30s, a more positive perception of marriage, and the effects of certain policies have all contributed." The official also explained, "In Daejeon, for example, a cash incentive of 5 million won is provided for marriage, and such cash grants are influencing the increase in marriages. In addition, special programs for newlyweds and loan support are also having an impact."

27,270 Deaths in June... Natural Decrease of 7,317

In June this year, the number of deaths was 27,270, an increase of 392 (1.5%). For the second quarter, the number of deaths was 84,565, up by 609 (0.7%). In the cumulative total for the first half of the year, there were 185,461 deaths, an increase of 8,138 (4.6%). The crude death rate-number of deaths per 1,000 people-was 6.7 for the second quarter, similar to 6.6 in the same period last year.

Subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births, there was a natural decrease of 7,317 people in June. For the second quarter, the natural decrease was 23,586, and for the first half of the year, the natural decrease was 59,460.

In June, the number of divorces was 6,777, a decrease of 429 (-6.0%). For the second quarter, there were 21,489 divorces, a decrease of 1,341 (-5.9%). In the first half of the year, there were 42,968 divorces, down by 2,604 (-5.7%).