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South Korea’s Fertility Rate Hits new Low in 2023
South Korea’s fertility rate, already the lowest in the world, continued it’s decline in 2023, reaching a new record low of 0.78 children per woman. This figure, released by Statistics Korea on January 27, 2026, underscores the country’s deepening demographic crisis and raises concerns about its long-term economic and social stability. Statistics Korea.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Several factors contribute to South Korea’s extremely low fertility rate. These include:
- High Cost of Raising Children: The financial burden of education, healthcare, and housing is significant, making it difficult for many couples to afford children. reuters
- Career Pressures and Gender Inequality: Long working hours, intense competition in the job market, and societal expectations place meaningful pressure on both parents, particularly women. Conventional gender roles often result in women bearing the brunt of childcare responsibilities, hindering their career advancement.
- Delayed Marriage: Increasing numbers of young adults are delaying or forgoing marriage altogether, opting to focus on their careers or personal lives. Brookings
- Housing Costs: Soaring real estate prices, especially in major cities like Seoul, make homeownership unattainable for many young couples, further discouraging them from starting families.
Government Efforts and challenges
The South korean government has implemented various policies to address the declining birth rate, including financial incentives, childcare support, and parental leave programs. Though, these measures have had limited success.
