Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea
South Korea: Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception was 0.748 births per woman in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea, 1960–2024
Source: United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in births per woman.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea is 0.748 births per woman, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 3.7% on the previous year and down 37.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea peaked at 5.99 births per woman in 1960 and was at its lowest, 0.721 births per woman, in 2023.
That places South Korea 214th out of 215 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5.1 births per woman | 4.45 births per woman | 5.99 births per woman | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.6 births per woman | 2.64 births per woman | 4.54 births per woman | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.95 births per woman | 1.53 births per woman | 2.82 births per woman | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.6 births per woman | 1.43 births per woman | 1.76 births per woman | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.21 births per woman | 1.08 births per woman | 1.48 births per woman | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.15 births per woman | 0.918 births per woman | 1.3 births per woman | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7784 births per woman | 0.721 births per woman | 0.837 births per woman | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- 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)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 0.748 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 4,241 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 0.748 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate -0.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 0.72 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate vs. GDP per capita 0.72 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea?
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception in South Korea was 0.748 births per woman in 2024, according to United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 5.99 births per woman in 1960.
- What is the lowest fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.721 births per woman in 2023.
- How does South Korea rank for fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception?
- South Korea ranks 214th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The total fertility rate, in a given year. The unmet need for contraception shows the estimated share of married fertile women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.