Tag: birth rate

birth rate

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Concern over Korea’s low birthrate eases, but pressure on couples to have children persists

A new survey finds seven in 10 Koreans still see the low birthrate as serious, while young women report especially strong pressure to have children.

2026.8.12

Strollers and car seats are on display at the Mom & Baby Expo at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on Feb. 26. [YONHAP]

Market for children's products grows as adults empty their pockets for 'gold kids'

Though fewer babies are being born in Korea, the market for infant and children’s products is growing as families spend more on each child, driving demand for premium goods.

2026.5.6

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A customer observes toys displayed in a toy store in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, on March 30. [NOH YU-RIM]

'Kidults' aren't playing around. They're stealing the toy market.

From stress-relief toys to collectible figures, consumers in their 20s and 30s are driving toy sales as the low birthrate shrinks the traditional children’s market. The shift is prompting retailers to expand offerings for so-called “kidults."

2026.4.3

Kids' clothes are displayed at a Shinsegae Department Store branch in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Feb. 23. [YONHAP]

Korea showing signs of baby bump in premium products market

The market for baby and children’s products is regaining momentum as births in Korea are showing signs of rebounding. Demand for premium products for babies and children is growing, and companies are expanding related businesses in response.

2026.3.10

Soon-to-be first graders at an elementary school in Busan walk in the school's hallway on Jan. 6. [NEWS1]

Korean first-grade students set to drop below 300,000 this year

The number of first-grade students at Korean elementary schools is set to drop below 300,000 for the first time in 2026, driven by one of the world’s lowest birthrates, government data showed last Thursday.

2026.1.13

A nurse looks over a newborn at a nursery room at CHA Ilsan Medical Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on Nov. 26. [YONHAP]

Korea's birthrate increases for 16th consecutive month in October

Korea’s number of births increased in October for a 16th straight month, as more couples get married and a large generation entered its prime childbearing years, government data showed on Wednesday.

2025.12.24

A staff member cares for newborns in a nursery at a postpartum care center in Seoul on Feb. 28, 2024. [YONHAP]

Korea, Japan turn toward each other as both nations stare into demographic abyss

With fertility rates at historic lows and populations aging at unprecedented speed, Korea and Japan are turning to each other for answers, as experts call for bold increases in family-related spending to avoid long-term demographic decline.

2025.12.15

The picture shows a wedding. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Marriages, births up in September as 'echo-boom' gen turns common marriage age

Marriage and birth rates in Korea rose significantly in September, driven by a demographic shift as the "echo-boom" generation — typically defined as those born between 1990 and 1995 — enters popular years for starting families.

2025.11.26

Children stroll along blooming cosmos flowers in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, on the afternoon of Oct. 10. [NEWS1]

New analysis reveals impact of wage gap on marital domestic responsibilities in Korea

Husbands tend to take on more child care and housework when their wives earn higher wages, while wives bear less of the domestic burden when their husbands come home earlier from work, according to new analysis.

2025.11.24

A nurse looks after a newborn baby at the CHA Ilsan Medical Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on July 24. [YONHAP]

Number of births rise for 13th consecutive month

The number of births in Korea rose for the 13th consecutive month in July, according to data released by Statistics Korea on Wednesday. However, this was still the fourth-lowest July figure since the agency began compiling the data in 1981.

2025.9.24