Busan Leads Nation in June Birth Rate Increase with Highest Growth in Newborns

Signal of Rebound in Low Birth Rates, Marriages Also on the Rise
142 More Births, Up 14.6% Year-on-Year
Both First-Half Marriage Numbers and Total Fertility Rate Increase

Busan has received some good news: a signal flare has been fired for a rebound in low birth rates.

In June, the number of births in Busan was recorded at 1,114, marking a 14.6% increase compared to the same month last year. This was the highest growth rate among all cities and provinces nationwide. The figure is 142 more than the same month last year (972), confirming the effectiveness of Busan-style childbirth and childcare policies through statistical data.

According to population trend data released by Statistics Korea on August 27, the number of births nationwide in June 2025 was 19,953, a 9.4% increase compared to the same month in the previous year. By region, Busan led with 14.6%, followed by Daejeon at 13.3%, Gwangju and North Chungcheong Province at 12.1%, and South Gyeongsang Province at 10.9%. In the first half of this year, the cumulative number of births in Busan was 6,904, a 7.5% increase from 6,423 in the same period last year.

The number of marriages also increased. In June, Busan recorded 961 marriages, up by 105 cases (12.3%) compared to the same month last year. The cumulative number of marriages in the first half of the year was 6,255, which is 2.8 percentage points higher than the national average increase of 7.1%.

According to finalized birth statistics for Busan last year, the number of births was 13,063, an increase of 197 from the previous year, and the total fertility rate rebounded to 0.68 for the first time in nine years. By district, the number of births was as follows: Busanjin-gu 1,613, Haeundae-gu 1,430, Dongnae-gu 1,208, Buk-gu 1,149, and Saha-gu 1,023. The total fertility rate was 0.97 in Gangseo-gu, 0.88 in Gijang-gun, 0.76 in Dongnae-gu, 0.75 in Yeongdo-gu, and 0.74 in Buk-gu.

The rebound in low birth rates is largely attributed to Busan City's customized life-cycle policies for marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Housing support includes home loans and interest subsidies for newlyweds, the Lucky 7 House program, and lifelong rent subsidies for newlyweds with two or more children. Marriage support initiatives include public wedding venues such as the "Small Wedding" and the "My Love, My Wedding" program.

Support policies for pregnancy and childbirth have also been strengthened. Benefits include the "Mama Call" taxi service for pregnant women, discounted parking fees at public parking lots for pregnant women, eco-friendly agricultural product packages, medical expense support for infertility treatment and fertility preservation, postpartum care subsidies, childbirth grants for second and subsequent children, and electric vehicle purchase subsidies.

In the childcare and parenting sector, programs include free public transportation for children, operation of infant and toddler classes, part-time daycare centers, support for field trip and special activity fees, care for hospitalized children, the Dalbit Children's Hospital, and the "Deullak Nallak" multi-cultural space. For families with multiple children, educational support points and discounts on public parking and facility fees are also provided.

A city official stated that in the second half of the year, Busan will continue its support policies for childbirth and parenting, reduce the burden on parents, and create a child-friendly environment through citizen participation campaigns and programs.

Programs such as "Pink Culture Day," the "Happy Family, Four Seasons of Busan" calendar drawing contest, the "Let's Raise Children Together" cooperative program for fathers, and the "Children Are Happiness. Busan" campaign to address low birth rates are planned. In October, the public kids' cafe "Cherished Like You" will open in Citizen's Park.

Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, said, "As the laughter of children is the future of Busan, we will continue the upward trend in birth rates. We will focus the city's administrative capacity on making Busan a city where parents can raise children without burden and children can grow up happily."