Much of this uptick has been driven by
women in their early 30s
those born in the mid-1990s, during one of the last relatively large birth cohorts in South Korean history. However, demographers say
This cohort-driven bump is likely
temporary
and warn against overinterpreting the rise
.
This increase in birth rate in 25 years was mainly due to
Woman in her early 30s
, that is, dominated by those born in the mid-1990s, one of the “”relatively large birth cohorts”” in Korean history.
However, demographers say that the increase in Korea’s birth rate in 2025 due to this “”cohort effect””
temporary
It is highly likely, and we must be wary of overinterpreting this upward trend.
He says.
Newsweek
reached out to the “”South Korean Embassy in the United States”” by email with a request for comment.
Newsweek is
About this in “”Korean Embassy in the United States””
Email requesting comment
Sent.
Jung Jae-hoon, professor of social welfare at Seoul Women’s University
emphasized that while these measures are “”helpful,””
they cannot overcome the “”core obstacle to boosting birth rates””
: South Korea’s high-pressure,
high-cost society
Professor Jeong Jae-hoon, Department of Social Welfare, Seoul Women’s University
Although these measures are “”helpful to some extent””,
“Obstacles” to fundamentally increasing fertility rates
in
korean
A society with high costs (problems of skyrocketing apartment prices, private education, etc.) is a fundamental obstacle to normalizing the birth rate.
by
He emphasized that he will remain.
Jung
warned that the current birth rebound is likely to “”fade””
. The larger cohorts of women born in the early 1990s are aging out of their childbearing years. From 2026 onward, they’ll be replaced by smaller generations born after 1996, when births had already begun declining.
Mr. Jeong
is
Currently (2025), there is a high possibility that Korea’s brief rebound in birth rate will “fall again”.
I did it. The explanation is that women born in the early 1990s are exceeding childbearing age, and from 2026, they will be replaced by a small generation born after 1996, when the birth rate has already begun to decline.
“”I do not believe that the recent expansion of policy support can fundamentally change the mindset of people who have already decided not to have children,”” he said. “”However, such policies may be effective in influencing those who are still undecided.””
He said “”
Recently, Korea’s policy support has expanded. I don’t think we can fundamentally change the minds of people who have already decided not to have children.
“But these policies may have an impact on people who have not yet made their decision,” he said.
Is the Window Already Closed
Has Korea’s problem of the world’s lowest birth rate already exceeded the level of solvability?
“”
The golden time
for responding to low fertility
has already passed
,”” he added. “”
It is now time to acknowledge this reality calmly
and begin a bold discussion about fundamentally reshaping Korean society.””
he
“”Korea is a country that can respond to the problem of the world’s lowest birth rate.
golden time
I already missed it””
And
“”Now we can calmly acknowledge this reality.
“It is time to begin bold discussions that will fundamentally reorganize Korean society,” he added.