Marriages significantly decreased by half, birth rates dropped by two-thirds, and foreign marriages account for approximately one in ten unions according to a 30-year report.

South Korea has witnessed significant changes in its birth trends over the past few decades. Here's a snapshot of these transformations, based on recent data.

The number of births in South Korea has decreased dramatically, with a 67% drop from 1995 to 2024, leaving 238,000 births in 2024. This decline is evident in various aspects of the country's birth statistics.

One noticeable trend is the increase in births to women aged 35 or older. In 1995, these births accounted for 4.8% of the total, but by 2024, this figure had risen to 35.9%.

The Seoul metropolitan area, particularly Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, and Incheon, has been the epicentre of these births, accounting for more than half of all births in 2024.

Firstborns have also seen a decline of 58% from 1995 to 2024, but their share of all births has risen from 48% to 61%.

Another striking trend is the delay in childbirth after marriage. The average gap has increased from 1.5 years to 2.5 years.

The percentage of children born outside marriage has also increased, from 1.2% in 1995 to 5.8% in 2024.

Second and third births have dropped significantly, with a 75% and 74% decrease, respectively, from 1995 to 2024.

Fertility rates among married women in their late 20s and early 30s peaked in 2015, declined, and have been on the rise again since 2022.

South Korea's total fertility rate has fallen from 1.63 births per woman in 1995 to 0.75 in 2024. This decline is also reflected in the crude birth rate, which dropped from 15.7 per 1,000 people in 1995 to 4.7 in 2024.

The average age of mothers at childbirth has risen from 27.9 years old in 1995 to 33.7 in 2024, and the average age of fathers has increased from 31.1 to 36.1.

The steepest birth declines occurred in South Gyeongsang Province, Busan, and North Jeolla Province.

Interestingly, the maximum number of marriage candidates in their 20s in South Korea was reached around the early 1990s, as South Korea's demographic trends show a peak in the young adult population at that time before declines due to a low birth rate. However, exact year-specific data on this maximum is not provided in the available sources.

Lastly, the percentage of multiple births, such as twins, has increased from 1.3% to 5.7%.

These changes in South Korea's birth trends paint a picture of a society evolving in response to various social, economic, and cultural factors. As these trends continue to unfold, it will be fascinating to observe how they shape South Korea's future.

Marriages significantly decreased by half, birth rates dropped by two-thirds, and foreign marriages account for approximately one in ten unions according to a 30-year report.