South Korea's birth rate was in 2023 the lowest in the world. The figure is, however, still significantly lower than in 2014, when 1.24 children could be expected for a South Korean woman.
The country has one of the world's lowest birth rates and at the same time the longest life expectancy, a combination that poses a major demographic challenge.
In recent years, South Korea has implemented several measures to get the population to marry and form families.
The reason for the low birth rates is, among other things, that high costs during the children's upbringing and the notoriously competitive society make it difficult to get well-paid jobs due to tough competition.
Another reason pointed out is that women are expected to take care of the majority of household chores and childcare, while trying to maintain a career.
