21,803 Births in July... Largest Number in Four Years

Total Fertility Rate Rises to 0.80, Up by 0.04
20,394 Marriages Recorded... Highest in Nine Years

In July, the number of newborns reached 21,803, marking the highest figure in four years. This increase is attributed to a rise in marriages and a growing population of women in their early 30s. The number of marriages in July was 20,394, the highest since 2016.

21,803 Births... Largest in Four Years

According to the "Population Trends for July 2025" released by Statistics Korea on September 24, the number of births in July was 21,803, up 5.9% (1,223) from the same month last year. This is the highest July figure since 2021, when there were 22,364 births.

The number of births has increased for 13 consecutive months. An official from Statistics Korea explained, "The number of marriages has been increasing for 16 consecutive months, and the population of women in their early 30s, the main childbearing age group, is also rising, leading to an increase in births."

By region, the number of births increased in 13 regions, including Seoul (3,938), Incheon (188), and Busan (1,218). In contrast, four regions, including Gwangju (560) and Sejong (240), saw a decrease.

The total fertility rate (the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime) was 0.80, up by 0.04. After recording in the 0.7 range in May (0.75) and June (0.76), it has now risen to the 0.8 range.

The number of deaths in July was 27,979, a decrease of 0.7%. Unlike in five regions, including Incheon (1,525) and Daegu (1,315), where deaths increased, 12 regions, including Seoul (4,138) and Busan (2,081), saw a decrease in the number of deaths.

As a result, the natural decrease (number of births minus number of deaths) was 6,175. This shows a reduction in the scale of natural decrease compared to May (-8,202) and June (-7,317).

20,394 Marriages... Highest Since July 2016

The number of marriages in July was 20,394, an increase of 8.4% (1,583) from the same month last year. This is the highest number of marriages for July in nine years, since 2016, when there were 21,154 marriages.

The number of marriages has been increasing for 16 consecutive months since April last year. An official from Statistics Korea stated, "In July last year, the number of marriages increased by 32.9%, marking a record high, and this year the upward trend continues, which is significant."

Last year, a couple preparing for their wedding was taking wedding photos at Choansan Hydrangea Hill in Nowon-gu, Seoul.

By region, the number of marriages increased in 11 regions, including Seoul (4,068), Incheon (1,234), and Busan (1,092). In contrast, Daegu (760) and Gwangju (494) saw a decrease.

The number of divorces was 7,826, a decrease of 1.4%. The number of divorces from January to July this year was 50,794, down 5.1%. The number of divorces increased in five regions, including Busan (478) and Gyeonggi Province (2,216).

493,000 People Moved Last Month... Migration Rate at 11.4%

According to the "Domestic Population Migration Statistics for August 2025" released by Statistics Korea on this day, the number of people who moved last month was 493,000, a decrease of 3.5%. Last month's migration rate (the number of movers per 100 people) was 11.4%, down 0.4 percentage points.

Of those who moved last month, 63.9% moved within the same region, a 5.5% decrease from the same month last year. Inter-regional movers accounted for 36.1%, up by 0.4%.

Looking at net migration (inflow minus outflow) by region, five regions, including Gyeonggi Province (3,979), Incheon (1,941), and Daejeon (959), saw a net inflow. In contrast, 12 regions, including Seoul (-1,815), North Gyeongsang Province (-1,527), and South Gyeongsang Province (-1,154), experienced a net outflow.