Replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea
South Korea: Replacement-level fertility rate was 2.09 in 2010. ▼ Falling
Replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea, 1950–2010
Source: Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea is 2.09, measured in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
That represents a change of down 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea peaked at 2.89 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.09, in 2010.
South Korea ranks 125th of 199 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.89 | — |
| 1960 | 2.57 | -11.1% |
| 1970 | 2.3 | -10.5% |
| 1980 | 2.19 | -4.8% |
| 1990 | 2.19 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 2.13 | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 2.09 | -1.9% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2.09 is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.08, 1.0× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2.09 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.13, 98% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.89 | 2.89 | 2.89 | 1 |
| 1960s | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.19 | 2.19 | 2.19 | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.19 | 2.19 | 2.19 | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.13 | 2.13 | 2.13 | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.09 | 2.09 | 2.09 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 125 Argentina 2.09 compare
- 125 Belarus 2.09 compare
- 125 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.09 compare
- 125 Brunei 2.09 compare
- 125 Bulgaria 2.09 compare
- 125 Costa Rica 2.09 compare
- 125 Curacao 2.09 compare
- 125 Cyprus 2.09 compare
- 125 Guam 2.09 compare
- 125 Latvia 2.09 compare
- 125 Lebanon 2.09 compare
- 125 Malaysia 2.09 compare
- 125 Mauritius 2.09 compare
- 125 New Caledonia 2.09 compare
- 125 Oman 2.09 compare
- 125 Romania 2.09 compare
- 125 Saint Lucia 2.09 compare
- 125 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.09 compare
- 125 Saudi Arabia 2.09 compare
- 125 Singapore 2.09 compare
- 125 Sri Lanka 2.09 compare
- 125 Uruguay 2.09 compare
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 replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea?
- Replacement-level fertility rate in South Korea was 2.09 in 2010, according to Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 2.89 in 1950.
- What is the lowest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.09 in 2010.
- How does South Korea rank for replacement-level fertility rate?
- South Korea ranks 125th out of 199 countries with data for 2010.
- Is replacement-level fertility rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Replacement-level fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The replacement-level fertility rate (the total fertility rate needed to keep the population size stable over time, without migration) is commonly stated to be 2.1. But the level can vary based on the sex ratio, child mortality rates, and other factors.