2024 is set to Break Decline with a Rise in South Korea's Birth Rate (Naver/24 Oct 2024)

Naver (via Allkpop) reports that South Korea is seeing a rise in its birth rate for the first time in nine years, with August 2024 recording a 5.9% increase in births compared to the same month in 2023. The trend is attributed to a surge in marriages following the COVID-19 pandemic and government policies supporting newlyweds and parents. While 2024 is projected to surpass 2023 in total births, experts caution that the increase may be temporary, emphasizing the need for long-term policies to address the country’s low fertility rate.