Annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea
South Korea: Annual birth rate and peak birth month was 4.49 births per 1,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea, 2003–2023
Source: Human Mortality Database (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in births per 1,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea is 4.49 births per 1,000 people, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 21 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.5% on the previous year and down 48.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea peaked at 10.27 births per 1,000 people in 2003 and was at its lowest, 4.49 births per 1,000 people, in 2023.
South Korea ranks 40th of 41 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 21 years of available data.
Annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea, year by year
| Year | births per 1,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10.27 births per 1,000 people | — |
| 2004 | 9.86 births per 1,000 people | -4.0% |
| 2005 | 9.03 births per 1,000 people | -8.4% |
| 2006 | 9.26 births per 1,000 people | +2.6% |
| 2007 | 10.14 births per 1,000 people | +9.5% |
| 2008 | 9.46 births per 1,000 people | -6.7% |
| 2009 | 8.98 births per 1,000 people | -5.0% |
| 2010 | 9.45 births per 1,000 people | +5.2% |
| 2011 | 9.43 births per 1,000 people | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 9.65 births per 1,000 people | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 8.65 births per 1,000 people | -10.3% |
| 2014 | 8.6 births per 1,000 people | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 8.62 births per 1,000 people | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 7.96 births per 1,000 people | -7.7% |
| 2017 | 6.99 births per 1,000 people | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 6.37 births per 1,000 people | -8.8% |
| 2019 | 5.9 births per 1,000 people | -7.5% |
| 2020 | 5.3 births per 1,000 people | -10.1% |
| 2021 | 5.07 births per 1,000 people | -4.3% |
| 2022 | 4.86 births per 1,000 people | -4.3% |
| 2023 | 4.49 births per 1,000 people | -7.5% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 4.49 births per 1,000 people is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 5.97 births per 1,000 people, 75% of the median. (5 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 4.49 births per 1,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 9.31 births per 1,000 people, 48% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9.57 births per 1,000 people | 8.98 births per 1,000 people | 10.27 births per 1,000 people | 7 |
| 2010s | 8.16 births per 1,000 people | 5.9 births per 1,000 people | 9.65 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.93 births per 1,000 people | 4.49 births per 1,000 people | 5.3 births per 1,000 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.1882 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea?
- Annual birth rate and peak birth month in South Korea was 4.49 births per 1,000 people in 2023, according to Human Mortality Database (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual birth rate and peak birth month recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 10.27 births per 1,000 people in 2003.
- What is the lowest annual birth rate and peak birth month recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.49 births per 1,000 people in 2023.
- How does South Korea rank for annual birth rate and peak birth month?
- South Korea ranks 40th out of 41 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual birth rate and peak birth month rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Human Mortality Database (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual birth rate and peak birth month. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of births per 1,000 people in a given year.