The number of babies born in October this year has dropped by over 8% compared to the previous year, setting a new record low. With this trend, there are concerns that the total fertility rate for the current fourth quarter from October to December may fall to the 0.6 range.
According to population trends released by Statistics Korea on Dec. 27, the number of babies born in October this year was 18,904, which is a decrease of 1,742, or 8.4%, compared to the same month last year. This marks the smallest number of births in October since records started to be compiled in 1981.
So far this year, the number of babies born as of October is 196,041, a decrease of 17,268, or 8.1%, compared to the same period last year, representing the lowest figure in history. The crude birth rate, which represents the number of births per 1,000 people, was 4.4 in October, a decrease of 0.4 compared to October last year. The crude birth rate has remained in the 4s for eight consecutive months since February, when it was 5.1%.
An official from Statistics Korea stated, “Considering the seasonal trend of lower birth rates at the end of the year, there is a possibility that the total fertility rate for the current fourth quarter may fall into the 0.6 range. However, the overall total fertility rate for this year is expected to be in the low 0.7 range.”