Birth rate vs. death rate in South Korea
South Korea: Birth rate vs. death rate was 4.57 births per 1,000 people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Birth rate vs. death rate in South Korea, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in births per 1,000 people.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 4.57 births per 1,000 people for birth rate vs. death rate in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 74 years on record.
The figure is down 7.8% on the previous year and down 47.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, birth rate vs. death rate in South Korea peaked at 42.96 births per 1,000 people in 1957 and was at its lowest, 4.57 births per 1,000 people, in 2023.
South Korea ranks 235th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 42.1 births per 1,000 people | 39.72 births per 1,000 people | 42.96 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 35.34 births per 1,000 people | 30.32 births per 1,000 people | 42.07 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 24.76 births per 1,000 people | 20.73 births per 1,000 people | 30.35 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 18.38 births per 1,000 people | 15.25 births per 1,000 people | 23.14 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 15.08 births per 1,000 people | 13.07 births per 1,000 people | 16.56 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 10.02 births per 1,000 people | 9.01 births per 1,000 people | 12.82 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.98 births per 1,000 people | 5.7 births per 1,000 people | 9.28 births per 1,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.93 births per 1,000 people | 4.57 births per 1,000 people | 5.21 births per 1,000 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 232 Hong Kong 5.55 births per 1,000 people compare
- 233 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 5.23 births per 1,000 people compare
- 234 Saint Barthelemy 4.82 births per 1,000 people compare
- 236 Vatican 4.21 births per 1,000 people compare
More health data for South Korea
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,072 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 0 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 0 deaths (2026)
- Age population, age 25, male, interpolated 343,093 (2025)
- Age population, age 25, female, interpolated 314,477 (2025)
- Age population, age 24, male, interpolated 328,684 (2025)
- Age population, age 24, female, interpolated 299,106 (2025)
- Age population, age 23, male, interpolated 295,765 (2025)
- Age population, age 23, female, interpolated 267,725 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is birth rate vs. death rate in South Korea?
- Birth rate vs. death rate in South Korea was 4.57 births per 1,000 people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest birth rate vs. death rate recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 42.96 births per 1,000 people in 1957.
- What is the lowest birth rate vs. death rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.57 births per 1,000 people in 2023.
- How does South Korea rank for birth rate vs. death rate?
- South Korea ranks 235th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is birth rate vs. death rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 47.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Birth rate vs. death rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of live births in a year per 1,000 people in the population.