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

With the upward trend in the number of newborns continuing, the cumulative number of births for this year has surpassed 170,000.

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

This is the highest level for the month of July since 2019 (25,222), when compared to figures for July in previous years.

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 even in the second half.

Cumulative newborns from January to July this year were tallied at 170,079.

Based on the January–July period, this is also the highest level since 2019 (183,647).

Cumulative newborns for the January–July period increased by 14.7% compared to the same period last year, recording the highest growth rate on record.

Recently, the number of newborns has been on a steady upward trend due to increased 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 give birth to in her lifetime) was 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 30–34 rose by 7.9 from the same month last year to 82.1, while those aged 35–39 increased by 8.6 to 61.1.

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

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

Marriages, which serve as a leading indicator of childbirth, are also maintaining an upward trend.

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

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

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

This is the highest figure since 2018 (152,458).

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 was 7,764, down 59 (0.8%) from the same month last year.

Despite the increase in newborns, the population continues to decline naturally as the number of deaths is greater.

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

Consequently, the population decreased naturally by 4,647.

The population has been in a natural decline for 81 consecutive months.

(Photo: Yonhap News)