S. Korean birth rate sinks to fresh record low

South Korean total fertility rate – the number of babies expected per woman in a lifetime – stood at 0.65 in Q4 2023 – the lowest figure for the country and the world, according to the data released by the national statistical office, TASS reports

photo: www.reuters.com

It is noted that in Q4 2022 this figure was 0.7 – well below the average of 2.1 the country needs to maintain its current population of 52 million. Between October and December, 52,618 babies were born in the Republic of Korea – 6.9 percent down compared to last year. In total, almost 230 thousand babies were born in the country in 2023 – 7.7 percent down against 2022.

The total fertility rate at the end of 2023 fell to 0.72, from 0.78 in 2022 – already a world anti-record.