The negative population growth in South Korea is very serious, but no one expected it to be so severe!
According to recent data released by the South Korean government, the total number of newborns in South Korea in August 2023 was 18984, the lowest recorded since South Korea began compiling data in 1981. This is a decrease of 2798 compared to the same period in August 2022, and also the first time in South Korean history that the number of newborns per month is less than 20000.
Since the first negative population growth in South Korea in 2019, there have been deaths all year round, even higher than the number of newborns. Taking August 2023 as an example, the number of newborns in South Korea was 18984, while the death toll was 20540.
Even more embarrassing is that the number of marriages in South Korea in August was 14610, which is even lower than the number of newborns that month. If we look at this trend, there is still a lot of room for negative population growth in South Korea. Currently, the number of newborns per month has dropped below 20000, and we believe it will not wait too long. The number of newborns per month in South Korea will drop below 15000, or even below 10000.
The negative population growth phenomenon in South Korea has been ongoing for four years, but from the current situation, this negative situation has not been improved, but is actually more serious than at the beginning. The total fertility rate of South Korea in the second quarter was only 0.7, which is far below the 2.1 fertility replacement level required for normal countries.
There are many reasons why Koreans do not have children, including lifestyle changes, rising housing prices, employment difficulties, and economic slowdown. In 2022, Yoon Seok hyuk took office by boasting about the "economic topic". Over the course of a year, the South Korean economy not only failed to achieve rapid development, but also became more highly internalized, ultimately reflected in the issue of fertility.
Although the situation in South Korea is very tragic, it is not inexplicable. In the past, South Korea's economy was able to develop at a high speed, which is closely related to China's rapid development. If the South Korean government could reduce confrontation with China, especially as a pawn in front of the United States and Japan to encircle China, and secure the economy, perhaps South Korea's current situation would be better.
The number of single month newborns in South Korea is constantly reaching the lower limit, and this situation may continue for some time.