March birth figures increase for first time in 10 years in S. Korea

On the demographic front.

More babies were born in March and more marriages were noted as well, contributing to a sharp increase in the latest quarterly number of births.

Our Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings.

The number of newborns in the first quarter of this year recorded its highest in three years, driven by increased marriages and improved perceptions of childbirth.

Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that a total of 21-thousand-41 babies were born in March this year, marking a 6-point-8 percent year-on-year increase.

This represents the ninth consecutive month of growth and marks the first time in 10 years that March birth figures have increased compared to the previous year.

"Last year, people started having babies again, having delayed doing so during the pandemic, and now it seems this is continuing this year. Additionally, we're seeing births from couples who married two years ago and last year being added to this trend."

The number of marriages also continued to climb, with 19-thousand-181 couples tying the knot in March , marking an 11-point-5 percent increase from the previous year.

This marks the 12th consecutive month of growth—the longest upward streak since record-keeping began—and its highest level in six years.

Some experts attribute this increase to changes in individual perceptions of marriage.

"Even just five or ten years ago, there were many times when marriage was viewed as something not very 'cool.' There were also many extremely negative perspectives about it. But these days, it's true that those views have softened significantly."

Meanwhile, the number of divorces dropped by 3-point-2 percent from a year earlier.

The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, also edged up. It came in at point-7-7, up point-0-4 from a year earlier, with gains seen across all age groups, from women aged 24 and under, to those in their 40s and beyond.

Despite the rise in births and marriages, the country continues to face a natural population decline.

With 31-thousand-141 deaths reported in March, a point-2 percent increase year-on-year, the population contracted by 10-thousand-100 individuals.

Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.