South Korea
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
South Korea continues to exhibit striking demographic trends in 2024, characterized by the world’s lowest total mean reproduction (TMR) at 0.446 and the highest average maternal age at 33.16 years. Despite a slight increase in total births to 238,317—a rise of 8,300 from 2023—both the total completed reproduction rate and fertility indicators show modest declines. The country's family size patterns reveal a sustained preference for smaller families, with single-child motherhood increasing significantly over the past two decades.
- Total Completed Reproduction (TCR) fell slightly to 55.4%, maintaining South Korea’s position with the highest childlessness rate globally.
- The average maternal age rose by 0.26 years, continuing an upward trend making South Korea's mean age the oldest among tracked countries.
- Total Fertility Gap (TFG) decreased marginally to 63.8%, signaling ongoing fertility challenges despite a near-global low in TMR.
- Total births increased year-over-year by about 3.6%, but the proportion of mothers having only one child remains notably elevated compared to the 2000s average.
In 2024, South Korea's demographic indicators reflect continued declines in fertility and family size, coupled with increasing childbearing age and societal aging.
- Lowest total motherhood rate globally (44.6%)
- Lowest children per mother rate worldwide (1.68)
- Highest average maternal age in the dataset (33.2 years)
- Highest childlessness rate globally (55.4%)
- Shortest societal half-life globally (24.0 years)
Key fertility indicators — South Korea
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 55.4% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 63.8% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 5 |
| Total births (latest year) | 238,317 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in South Korea, completed fertility is 44.6% (2024). It is marginally higher than 2023 (up 1.2pp). Looking at the last five years, the TMR has been falling (average 45.4% across 2020–2024). Relative to the 2000s average (62.6%), South Korea is now lower by about 18.0pp.
Globally, South Korea has the lowest TMR level (ranked 38/38).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 62.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 47.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 43.4% |
| 2000 | 71.0% | 2024 | 44.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Children per mother (CPM)
CPM in South Korea is 1.68 in 2024. It is marginally higher than 2023 (up 0.02). Over the past five years, CPM has been falling, averaging 1.72. Relative to the 2000s average (1.94), South Korea is now lower by about 0.26.
Globally, South Korea has the lowest CPM (ranked 1/38).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.75 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.66 |
| 2000 | 2.08 | 2024 | 1.68* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
South Korea’s mean age at childbearing is 33.2 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.3 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 32.7 years. It is now 4.5 years higher than the 2000s average.
Globally, South Korea has the highest average maternal age (ranked 1/38).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.77 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 32.11 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.90 |
| 2000 | 27.55 | 2024 | 33.16* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) is 63.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 0.75). It is down slightly from 2023 (down 1.3pp). Looking at the last five years, the TCR has been rising (average 62.3% across 2020–2024). Relative to the 2000s average (41.4%), South Korea is now higher by about 22.4pp.
Globally, South Korea has the highest TFG level (ranked 1/38).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 40.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 65.1% |
| 2000 | 28.5% | 2024 | 63.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
South Korea’s SHL stands at 24.0 years years in 2024. It has increased by 1.0 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 24.6 years. Compared with the 2000s average (40.6 years), SHL is now shorter by about 16.6 years.
Globally, South Korea has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in South Korea, there would be 5 great-grandchildren, representing a -95.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, South Korea has the highest TGI drop (ranked 1/38).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2048 - Births down 75% in 2072 - Births down 90% in 2104
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 238,317 in 2024 to 119,158 in 2048, and by 90% to 23,832 in 2104 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
South Korea’s TCR is 55.4% in 2024. It is down slightly from 2023 (down 1.2pp). Looking at the last five years, the TCR has been rising (average 54.6% across 2020–2024). Against the 2000s baseline (37.4%), the current rate is higher by about 18.0pp.
Globally, South Korea has the highest childlessness rate (ranked 1/38).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 52.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 56.6% |
| 2000 | 29.0% | 2024 | 55.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Total births
In 2024, South Korea recorded 238,317 total births. It is up 8,303 from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 250,074 per year. Compared with the 2000s average (496,617), total births are now lower by 258,300 births (52.0% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 470.1k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 272.3k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 230.0k |
| 2000 | 640.0k | 2024 | 238.3k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, South Korea’s Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) is 72.8%. It is down slightly from 2023 (down 1.0pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), BRI has been rising with an average of 72.2%. Against the 2000s baseline (30.7%), the current rate is higher by about 42.1pp.
Globally, South Korea has the highest BRI value (ranked 1/35).
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 45.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 70.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 73.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 72.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
