The number of babies born this July reached its highest level in seven years.

As the upward trend in the number of newborns continues, the cumulative number of births for the year has surpassed 170,000.

According to the July Population Trends released by the Statistics Korea (National Data Agency) today (the 23rd), the number of newborns in July stood at 24,275, an increase of 2,421 (11.1%) from the same month last year.

This is the highest level for the month of July since 2019 (25,222 babies).

In terms of the growth rate, it is the highest for July since 2007 (12.4%).

While the number of newborns typically tended to be high in the first half of the year and decrease toward the second half, the upward trend in births has recently been sustained into the second half as well.

The cumulative number of newborns from January to July this year was tallied at 170,079.

Even on a January-to-July basis, this is the highest level since 2019 (183,647 babies).

The cumulative number of newborns from January to July increased by 14.7% compared to the same period last year, recording the highest growth rate on record.

The number of newborns has been on a steady upward trend recently, driven by an increase in marriages over the past two years, a rise in the population in their 30s, and positive shifts in perceptions regarding childbirth.

The total fertility rate for July (the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime) stood at 0.89, an increase of 0.08 from the same month last year.

By the mother's age group, births per 1,000 women for those aged 30 to 34 rose by 7.9 to 82.1 compared to the same month last year, while those aged 35 to 39 increased by 8.6 to 61.1.

For those aged 25 to 29, it increased by 0.4 to 21.0.

As the upward trend in the number of newborns continues, attention is focusing on whether the annual total fertility rate can recover to the 0.9 range for the first time in seven years.

Marriages, a leading indicator of childbirth, also maintain an upward trend.

The number of marriages in July was 22,282, up 1,890 (9.3%) from a year earlier.

This is the highest level for the month of July since 2015 (23,571 marriages).

The cumulative total from January to July was tallied at 146,656.

This marks the largest figure since 2018 (152,458 marriages).

By city and province, the number of marriages increased in 15 regions including Seoul and Busan, while decreasing in Jeju.

The number of divorces in July stood at 7,764, down 59 (0.8%) from the same month last year.

Despite the increase in newborns, the population is experiencing a natural decline as the number of deaths exceeds births.

The number of deaths in July was 28,921, an increase of 839 (3.0%) from the same month last year.

Consequently, the population decreased naturally by 4,647.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)