Birth rate by women's age group in South Korea
South Korea: Birth rate by women's age group was 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19
Change on year
down 17.5%
World rank
234th
of 236 countries
All-time high
31.87 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19
in 1950
All-time low
0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19
in 2023
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Birth rate by women's age group in South Korea, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 for birth rate by women's age group in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of down 17.5% on the previous year and down 69.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, birth rate by women's age group in South Korea peaked at 31.87 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, in 2023.
That places South Korea 234th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Birth rate by women's age group in South Korea, year by year
| Year | live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 31.87 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | — |
| 1951 | 31.6 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.8% |
| 1952 | 31.43 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.6% |
| 1953 | 31.07 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -1.1% |
| 1954 | 30.64 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -1.4% |
| 1955 | 30.22 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -1.4% |
| 1956 | 29.95 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.9% |
| 1957 | 30.39 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +1.5% |
| 1958 | 30.47 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +0.3% |
| 1959 | 30.18 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.9% |
| 1960 | 28.99 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -3.9% |
| 1961 | 27.14 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -6.4% |
| 1962 | 24.57 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -9.5% |
| 1963 | 21.95 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -10.6% |
| 1964 | 19.4 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -11.6% |
| 1965 | 17.78 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -8.3% |
| 1966 | 16.89 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -5.0% |
| 1967 | 15.73 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -6.9% |
| 1968 | 14.34 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -8.9% |
| 1969 | 13.16 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -8.2% |
| 1970 | 12.17 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -7.5% |
| 1971 | 10.96 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -9.9% |
| 1972 | 10.11 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -7.8% |
| 1973 | 11.35 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +12.3% |
| 1974 | 12.5 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +10.2% |
| 1975 | 13.23 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +5.8% |
| 1976 | 14.01 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +5.9% |
| 1977 | 14.33 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +2.3% |
| 1978 | 14.18 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -1.1% |
| 1979 | 14.49 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 13.16 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -9.2% |
| 1981 | 14.73 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +11.9% |
| 1982 | 15.3 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +3.9% |
| 1983 | 13.5 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -11.8% |
| 1984 | 11.86 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -12.2% |
| 1985 | 9.93 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -16.2% |
| 1986 | 8.54 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -14.0% |
| 1987 | 7.05 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -17.5% |
| 1988 | 5.75 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -18.5% |
| 1989 | 4.62 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -19.5% |
| 1990 | 4.27 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -7.6% |
| 1991 | 4.29 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 4.48 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 4.27 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -4.7% |
| 1994 | 3.88 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -9.3% |
| 1995 | 3.56 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -8.1% |
| 1996 | 3.31 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -7.1% |
| 1997 | 3.1 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -6.4% |
| 1998 | 2.92 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -5.9% |
| 1999 | 2.76 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -5.3% |
| 2000 | 2.67 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -3.3% |
| 2001 | 2.53 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -5.2% |
| 2002 | 2.72 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +7.3% |
| 2003 | 2.54 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -6.5% |
| 2004 | 2.35 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -7.7% |
| 2005 | 2.19 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -6.8% |
| 2006 | 2.18 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 2.11 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 1.73 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -18.4% |
| 2009 | 1.69 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 1.76 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +4.4% |
| 2011 | 1.85 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +5.0% |
| 2012 | 1.74 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -5.9% |
| 2013 | 1.74 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 1.8 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 1.64 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -8.8% |
| 2016 | 1.48 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -9.8% |
| 2017 | 1.13 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -23.8% |
| 2018 | 1.18 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +4.7% |
| 2019 | 0.925 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -21.5% |
| 2020 | 0.799 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -13.6% |
| 2021 | 0.539 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -32.5% |
| 2022 | 0.651 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | +20.8% |
| 2023 | 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | -17.5% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 is below the median for high income countries, which is 7.54 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, 7% of the median. (85 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 26.42 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, 2% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 30.78 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 29.95 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 31.87 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 1960s | 19.99 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 13.16 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 28.99 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 1970s | 12.73 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10.11 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 14.49 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 1980s | 10.44 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 4.62 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 15.3 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.69 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 2.76 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 4.48 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.27 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 1.69 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 2.72 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.52 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 0.925 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 1.85 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.6315 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 0.799 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 231 San Marino 1.16 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 compare
- 232 Denmark 1.14 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 compare
- 233 Hong Kong 1.12 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 compare
- 235 North Korea 0.512 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 compare
- 236 Macao 0.465 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 compare
More population data for South Korea
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate -0.0908 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is birth rate by women's age group in South Korea?
- Birth rate by women's age group in South Korea was 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest birth rate by women's age group recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 31.87 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 1950.
- What is the lowest birth rate by women's age group recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.537 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 2023.
- How does South Korea rank for birth rate by women's age group?
- South Korea ranks 234th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is birth rate by women's age group rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 69.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Birth rate by women's age group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Age-specific fertility rate for girls aged 15 to 19: the annual number of live births in this age group per 1,000 girls.