Fertility Rate: Korea, Republic of
Korea, Republic of's fertility rate is currently 0.748 births per woman as of 2024. # Korea, Republic of Fertility Rate South Korea's fertility rate stands at 0.
Current (2024)
0.748 births per woman
+3.7% y/y
Peak (1960)
5.994 births per woman
Low (2023)
0.721 births per woman
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Fertility Rate — Korea, Republic of
1960 — 2024
Fertility Rate — Korea, Republic of
Analysis# Korea, Republic of Fertility Rate
South Korea's fertility rate stands at 0.748 births per woman in 2024, representing one of the world's lowest demographic indicators. The nation has experienced a dramatic 87.5% decline since 1960, when the rate peaked at 5.994 births per woman. The 2023 all-time low of 0.721 births per woman was marginally undercut by a slight uptick to 0.748 in 2024, suggesting potential stabilization after years of consistent decline.
The steepest fertility drops occurred between 2015 and 2023, with the rate falling from 1.239 to 0.721 births per woman in just eight years. This acceleration reflects compounding pressures from high cost of living, delayed marriage, expanded female workforce participation, and limited childcare infrastructure. The marginal 2024 increase warrants monitoring to determine whether it signals a genuine reversal or temporary fluctuation in an otherwise downward trajectory.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.748 births per woman | +3.74% |
| 2023 | 0.721 births per woman | -7.33% |
| 2022 | 0.778 births per woman | -3.71% |
| 2021 | 0.808 births per woman | -3.46% |
| 2020 | 0.837 births per woman | -8.82% |
| 2019 | 0.918 births per woman | -6.04% |
| 2018 | 0.977 births per woman | -7.13% |
| 2017 | 1.052 births per woman | -10.24% |
| 2016 | 1.172 births per woman | -5.41% |
| 2015 | 1.239 births per woman | +2.82% |
| 2014 | 1.205 births per woman | +1.52% |
| 2013 | 1.187 births per woman | -8.48% |
| 2012 | 1.297 births per woman | +4.26% |
| 2011 | 1.244 births per woman | +1.47% |
| 2010 | 1.226 births per woman | +6.70% |
| 2009 | 1.149 births per woman | -3.61% |
| 2008 | 1.192 births per woman | -5.32% |
| 2007 | 1.259 births per woman | +11.22% |
| 2006 | 1.132 births per woman | +4.33% |
| 2005 | 1.085 births per woman | -6.79% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.164 births per woman | -2.27% |
| 2003 | 1.191 births per woman | +1.10% |
| 2002 | 1.178 births per woman | -10.01% |
| 2001 | 1.309 births per woman | -11.55% |
| 2000 | 1.48 births per woman | +3.86% |
| 1999 | 1.425 births per woman | -2.66% |
| 1998 | 1.464 births per woman | -4.75% |
| 1997 | 1.537 births per woman | -2.35% |
| 1996 | 1.574 births per woman | -3.67% |
| 1995 | 1.634 births per woman | -1.33% |
| 1994 | 1.656 births per woman | +0.12% |
| 1993 | 1.654 births per woman | -6.02% |
| 1992 | 1.76 births per woman | +2.92% |
| 1991 | 1.71 births per woman | +8.92% |
| 1990 | 1.57 births per woman | +0.64% |
| 1989 | 1.56 births per woman | +0.65% |
| 1988 | 1.55 births per woman | +1.31% |
| 1987 | 1.53 births per woman | -3.16% |
| 1986 | 1.58 births per woman | -4.82% |
| 1985 | 1.66 births per woman | -4.60% |
| 1984 | 1.74 births per woman | -15.53% |
| 1983 | 2.06 births per woman | -13.81% |
| 1982 | 2.39 births per woman | -7.00% |
| 1981 | 2.57 births per woman | -8.87% |
| 1980 | 2.82 births per woman | -2.76% |
| 1979 | 2.9 births per woman | +9.85% |
| 1978 | 2.64 births per woman | -11.71% |
| 1977 | 2.99 births per woman | -0.33% |
| 1976 | 3 births per woman | -12.54% |
| 1975 | 3.43 births per woman | -9.02% |
| 1974 | 3.77 births per woman | -7.37% |
| 1973 | 4.07 births per woman | -1.21% |
| 1972 | 4.12 births per woman | -9.25% |
| 1971 | 4.54 births per woman | +0.22% |
| 1970 | 4.53 births per woman | +1.87% |
| 1969 | 4.447 births per woman | -1.40% |
| 1968 | 4.51 births per woman | -2.28% |
| 1967 | 4.615 births per woman | -3.49% |
| 1966 | 4.782 births per woman | -2.15% |
| 1965 | 4.887 births per woman | -3.57% |
| 1964 | 5.068 births per woman | -4.99% |
| 1963 | 5.334 births per woman | -4.10% |
| 1962 | 5.562 births per woman | -4.15% |
| 1961 | 5.803 births per woman | -3.19% |
| 1960 | 5.994 births per woman | — |
Related Data
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For Korea, Republic of
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