South Korea’s birth rate rises for first time in almost a decade (Independent/26 Feb 2025)

The Independent reports that South Korea’s fertility rate rose to 0.75 in 2024, its first increase since 2015, driven by a 15% rise in marriages and delayed pandemic weddings. Despite this, the rate remains far below replacement level, fueling demographic concerns. School closures continue, with 49 shutting down in 2025, and the country is now a "super-aged" society, with 20% of the population over 65. Officials stress the need for deeper policy changes.