The number of newborns in the second quarter of this year was counted at 60,979. This represents an increase of 7.3% compared to the same period last year, the largest increase since statistics have been compiled. It marks the emergence of a 'record high' that is hard to find in low birth rate statistics.
The increase in newborns is attributed to the growing population of women in their 30s, an increase in marriage rates, and a change in perceptions regarding childbirth. In fact, from July of last year to June of this year, there has been a continuous increase in the number of newborns for 12 consecutive months.
The total fertility rate (the number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime) also slightly rebounded in the second quarter. This year's second quarter total fertility rate is 0.76, which is 0.05 higher than the same period last year. The total fertility rate increased in all provinces nationwide except for Jeju.
The increase in marriages is also noticeable. The number of marriages, which was around 190,000 in 2022, surpassed 220,000 last year, marking the largest increase rate in 28 years. In the first half of this year, there were 117,873 marriages, an increase of 7.1% compared to the previous year, continuing the trend of 'marriage to childbirth.'
The period from marriage to childbirth is also shortening. The average time from marriage to the first child's birth is now 2.4 years, slightly advanced compared to last year. Couples who married after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to actively have children, and the government's marriage and childbirth promotion policies are yielding results, according to an analysis by the Statistics Korea.
Statistics Korea believes that if the trends of last year continue, the increase in the number of newborns is likely to persist in the second half of this year. Statistics Korea noted, "Last year, the number of newborns exceeded 20,000 in November," and added, "If the same trend continues as last year, there is a possibility that the annual number of newborns will show an upward trend."