Cries of babies grow for two consecutive years... Births up 15.4%, 'All-time high'

According to the National Data Agency's 'June 2026 Population Trends' released on the 26th, the number of births in the first half of this year was 145,804, a 15.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Both the scale and the rate of increase are the highest since relevant statistics were first compiled. The number of births in June also increased by 15.6% year-on-year, recording the highest growth rate for that month. The number of births has exceeded the same month of the previous year for 24 consecutive months. The total fertility rate for the second quarter is 0.88.
In the '2025 Birth Statistics (Finalized)' released on the same day, the number of births last year was 254,341, with a total fertility rate of 0.80. The recovery of births to the 250,000 level and the fertility rate to the 0.8 level marks the first time in four years since 2021.
Cries of babies grow for two consecutive years... Births up 15.4%, 'All-time high'n.news.naver.comAs the number of births in the first half of this year increases by the largest margin since statistics were compiled, the rebound is becoming distinct. As the increase in marriages leads to actual births and the fertility rate rises alongside, it cannot be viewed merely as an effect of the increasing population of women in their 30s.