South Korea is finally having more babies, but the rise might be temporary

South Korea has reported 17 consecutive months of year-on-year increases in monthly births and its national fertility rate rose from 0.721 in 2023 to 0.748 in 2024. Experts say the increase may reflect short-term factors and that deeper structural issues remain.

Excited young couples at a baby fair in Seoul and other signs around the country reflect a recent rise in births after years of decline. The government has spent billions on policies to encourage childbearing, and monthly births have increased year-on-year for 17 straight months. Still, many parents and experts point to high costs, work culture, and social expectations as continuing challenges. Whether the recent gains will persist remains uncertain. Key facts: - South Korea's fertility rate rose from 0.721 in 2023 to 0.748 in 2024, after a long decline since 2015, and was described as the lowest globally in prior reports. - Officials reported 17 consecutive months of year-on-year increases in monthly births as of the latest figures released in January. - The government has introduced measures including housing and childcare subsidies, cash handouts to new parents, extended maternity and paternity leave, social campaigns about domestic roles, matchmaking events, and calls for better work-life balance. - By law, mothers can take up to 90 days of leave for a single baby without complications, and fathers are afforded 20 days; parental leave is still mostly taken by mothers. - Families cite high costs of raising children—including private tuition and competitive education—as a major burden, and some benefits are targeted mainly at lower-income households. - Cultural and structural factors cited by parents and experts include a demanding work culture, traditional gender norms, unfriendly public attitudes toward children in some settings, and restrictions such as limits on IVF access for single women. Summary: The recent rise in births appears linked to several factors, including delayed marriages and childbearing during the Covid years, a relatively large cohort of women currently in their prime childbearing ages, and government support measures. Experts caution that these influences could produce a temporary "catch-up" rather than a durable reversal unless deeper structural and social issues are addressed. Undetermined at this time.