South Korea
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
South Korea continues to exhibit striking demographic trends in 2024, characterized by the world’s lowest total mean reproduction (TMR) at 0.446 and the highest average maternal age at 33.16 years. Despite a slight increase in total births to 238,317—a rise of 8,300 from 2023—both the total completed reproduction rate and fertility indicators show modest declines. The country's family size patterns reveal a sustained preference for smaller families, with single-child motherhood increasing significantly over the past two decades.
- Total Completed Reproduction (TCR) fell slightly to 55.4%, maintaining South Korea’s position with the highest childlessness rate globally.
- The average maternal age rose by 0.26 years, continuing an upward trend making South Korea's mean age the oldest among tracked countries.
- Total Fertility Gap (TFG) decreased marginally to 63.8%, signaling ongoing fertility challenges despite a near-global low in TMR.
- Total births increased year-over-year by about 3.6%, but the proportion of mothers having only one child remains notably elevated compared to the 2000s average.
In 2024, South Korea's demographic indicators reflect continued declines in fertility and family size, coupled with increasing childbearing age and societal aging.
- Lowest total motherhood rate globally (44.6%)
- Lowest children per mother rate worldwide (1.68)
- Highest average maternal age in the dataset (33.2 years)
- Highest childlessness rate globally (55.4%)
- Shortest societal half-life globally (24.0 years)
Key fertility indicators — South Korea
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 55.4% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 63.8% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 5 |
| Total births (latest year) | 238,317 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in South Korea reached 44.6% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 1.2 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the total motherhood rate (TMR) has trended downward, averaging 45.4% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 62.6%, the current level is approximately 18.0 percentage points lower. Notably, South Korea holds the lowest TMR worldwide, ranking 38th out of 38 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 62.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 47.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 43.4% |
| 2000 | 71.0% | 2024 | 44.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the children per mother (CPM) ratio in South Korea stands at 1.68, showing a slight increase of 0.02 from 2023. Despite this recent rise, the CPM has been on a downward trend over the past five years, averaging 1.72 during that period. Compared to the 2000s average of 1.94, the current level is approximately 0.26 lower. South Korea recorded its minimum CPM over the three-year span from 2022 to 2024, with an average of around 1.69. Looking back to 2000–2002, the CPM peaked at just over 2.04. Among 38 countries, South Korea now has the lowest CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.75 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.66 |
| 2000 | 2.08 | 2024 | 1.68* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average age of mothers at childbirth in South Korea reached 33.16 years in 2024, marking a modest increase of about 0.26 years from the previous year. Over the last five years, there has been a clear upward trend, with the average maternal age rising to 32.67 years. This figure is notably 4.5 years greater than the average recorded during the 2000s. Among 38 countries measured globally, South Korea currently holds the highest average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.77 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 32.11 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.90 |
| 2000 | 27.55 | 2024 | 33.16* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for 2024 stands at 63.8%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 0.75. This marks a slight decline from the 2023 figure, dropping by 1.3 percentage points. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 62.3% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 41.4%, this represents an increase of about 22.4 percentage points. Among 38 countries globally, South Korea currently holds the highest TFG level.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 40.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 65.1% |
| 2000 | 28.5% | 2024 | 63.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
South Korea’s SHL stands at 24.0 years years in 2024. It has increased by 1.0 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 24.6 years. Compared with the 2000s average (40.6 years), SHL is now shorter by about 16.6 years.
Globally, South Korea has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in South Korea, there would be 5 great-grandchildren, representing a -95.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, South Korea has the highest TGI drop (ranked 1/38).
Birth trajectory
Looking ahead using the 2024 birth rates, the total number of births is projected to drop by half, falling from 238,317 that year to 119,158 by 2048. This downward trend continues significantly, with births expected to decline by 75% by 2072, and then by 90% reaching just 23,832 in 2104, assuming no migration influences these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in South Korea reached 55.4% in 2024, marking a slight decline of 1.2 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has demonstrated an upward trend, averaging 54.6% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 37.4%, the current figure is approximately 18 percentage points higher. This recent period from 2022 to 2024 also represents the highest three-year TCR average at 55.5%. South Korea currently holds the top position globally for childlessness among 38 countries.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 52.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 56.6% |
| 2000 | 29.0% | 2024 | 55.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Total births
South Korea saw 238,317 births in 2024, marking an increase of 8,303 from the previous year. Total births have trended downward over the last five years, with an average of 250,074 annually. This recent average is significantly lower than the 2000s figure, which averaged 496,617 births, reflecting a 52.0% drop, or 258,300 fewer births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 470.1k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 272.3k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 230.0k |
| 2000 | 640.0k | 2024 | 238.3k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for South Korea in 2024 stands at 72.8%, marking a small decrease of 1.0 percentage point from 2023. Over the last five years from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has shown an upward trend, averaging 72.2%. When compared to the 2000s average of 30.7%, this represents an increase of approximately 42.1 percentage points. Notably, South Korea holds the highest BRI score worldwide among 35 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 45.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 70.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 73.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 72.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
