South Korea
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
South Korea continues to register some of the lowest fertility indicators globally in 2024, with a slight easing from previous years yet still reflecting profound demographic challenges. Notably, the total fertility gap remains the highest among 42 countries, alongside the highest levels of lifetime childlessness and average maternal age. These persistent patterns underline long-term shifts in family formation and childbearing in the country.
- Completed fertility stands near the long-term average at 44.6%, showing a small increase of 1.2 percentage points since 2023.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to 33.2 years, maintaining South Korea's rank as the country with the oldest mothers among surveyed nations.
- The total fertility gap, a measure of unrealized childbearing desires, eased marginally to 63.8% but remains the highest globally, indicating a large shortfall in actual versus desired fertility.
- Childlessness rates are very high at 55.4%, slightly down from last year but still representing the highest proportion worldwide, reflecting ongoing delays or decisions to forgo parenthood.
In 2024, South Korea marked continued demographic challenges with the lowest fertility and maternal metrics globally among 42 countries.
- Lowest completed fertility rate worldwide (44.6%)
- Lowest average children per mother globally (1.62)
- Highest average maternal age in the world (33.2 years)
- Highest total fertility gap of all countries (63.8%)
- Highest lifetime childlessness rate worldwide (55.4%)
Key fertility indicators — South Korea
| 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). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.2pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 45.4% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (45.4%), completed fertility today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, South Korea is ranked last among 42 countries (lowest TMR).
| 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)
The average number of children per mother in South Korea is 1.62 (2024). It is marginally lower than in 2023 (down 0.04). Over the past five years, CPM has been falling, averaging 1.70. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (1.70), today’s CPM is lower by about 0.09.
Globally, South Korea is ranked last among 42 countries (lowest CPM).
| 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 | 1.62* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in South Korea had children at an average age of 33.2 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.3 years). Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 32.7 years). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (32.7 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.5 years.
Globally, South Korea has the highest average maternal age (ranked 1/42).
| 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 | 33.17* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from KOSIS.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 63.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 0.75). It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.3pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 62.3% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (62.3%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 1.5pp.
Globally, South Korea has the highest TFG (ranked 1/42).
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
South Korea’s FWG is 72.8% in 2024. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.0pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 72.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (72.2%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level.
Globally, South Korea has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 2/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
South Korea’s SHL stands at 24.0 years in 2024. It moved sharply up from 2023 (up 1.1 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 24.6 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 24.6 years), SHL now stands lower by about 0.6 years. A sustained low for SHL occurred in the early 2020s (2022–2024), averaging 23.9 years.
Globally, South Korea is ranked last among 42 countries (lowest SHL).
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 is ranked last among 42 countries (lowest TGI).
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 lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 55.4% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.2pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 54.6% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (54.6%), childlessness is now close to that long-run level.
Globally, South Korea has the highest childlessness rate (ranked 1/42).
| 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 from 2023 by 8,303 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 250,074 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (250,074), total births are now lower by 11,757 births.
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
South Korea’s FWG is 72.8% in 2024. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.0pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 72.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (72.2%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level.
Globally, South Korea has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 2/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
