Birth rates and death rates in South Korea
South Korea: Birth rates and death rates was 6.68 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Birth rates and death rates in South Korea, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for birth rates and death rates in South Korea is 6.68, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.5% on the previous year and up 25.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, birth rates and death rates in South Korea peaked at 47.12 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 4.99, in 2001.
South Korea ranks 148th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Birth rates and death rates in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 47.12 | — |
| 1951 | 37.98 | -19.4% |
| 1952 | 25.54 | -32.7% |
| 1953 | 22.06 | -13.6% |
| 1954 | 17.99 | -18.4% |
| 1955 | 16.41 | -8.8% |
| 1956 | 15.2 | -7.4% |
| 1957 | 14.36 | -5.5% |
| 1958 | 14.19 | -1.2% |
| 1959 | 13.5 | -4.8% |
| 1960 | 12.97 | -4.0% |
| 1961 | 12.51 | -3.5% |
| 1962 | 12.1 | -3.3% |
| 1963 | 12.04 | -0.5% |
| 1964 | 11.75 | -2.4% |
| 1965 | 11.42 | -2.8% |
| 1966 | 11.6 | +1.6% |
| 1967 | 8.56 | -26.3% |
| 1968 | 8.55 | -0.1% |
| 1969 | 8.31 | -2.8% |
| 1970 | 8.01 | -3.6% |
| 1971 | 7.79 | -2.6% |
| 1972 | 7.56 | -3.0% |
| 1973 | 7.35 | -2.9% |
| 1974 | 7.17 | -2.4% |
| 1975 | 7.04 | -2.0% |
| 1976 | 6.94 | -1.3% |
| 1977 | 7.18 | +3.4% |
| 1978 | 7.06 | -1.7% |
| 1979 | 6.62 | -6.2% |
| 1980 | 7.31 | +10.5% |
| 1981 | 6.3 | -13.8% |
| 1982 | 6.43 | +2.1% |
| 1983 | 6.69 | +3.9% |
| 1984 | 6.15 | -8.1% |
| 1985 | 6.14 | -0.1% |
| 1986 | 6 | -2.3% |
| 1987 | 6.02 | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 5.78 | -3.9% |
| 1989 | 5.7 | -1.4% |
| 1990 | 5.72 | +0.4% |
| 1991 | 5.73 | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 5.57 | -2.9% |
| 1993 | 5.48 | -1.5% |
| 1994 | 5.6 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 5.56 | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 5.44 | -2.2% |
| 1997 | 5.37 | -1.3% |
| 1998 | 5.31 | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 5.22 | -1.6% |
| 2000 | 5.12 | -2.0% |
| 2001 | 4.99 | -2.6% |
| 2002 | 5.04 | +1.0% |
| 2003 | 5.12 | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 5.12 | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 5.11 | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 5.06 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 5.1 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 5.07 | -0.7% |
| 2009 | 5.04 | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 5.21 | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 5.22 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 5.38 | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 5.34 | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 5.31 | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 5.47 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 5.53 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 5.61 | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 5.86 | +4.5% |
| 2019 | 5.95 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 6.12 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 6.33 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 7.54 | +19.2% |
| 2023 | 6.68 | -11.5% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 6.68 is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.37, 80% of the median. (85 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 6.68 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.87, 97% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Birth rates and death rates in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | -32.7% | 37.98 | 25.54 |
| 1967 | -26.3% | 11.6 | 8.56 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 22.43 | 13.5 | 47.12 | 10 |
| 1960s | 10.98 | 8.31 | 12.97 | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.27 | 6.62 | 8.01 | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.25 | 5.7 | 7.31 | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.5 | 5.22 | 5.73 | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.08 | 4.99 | 5.12 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.49 | 5.21 | 5.95 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.67 | 6.12 | 7.54 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More health data for South Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 69 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.66 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0118 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.76 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0124 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is birth rates and death rates in South Korea?
- Birth rates and death rates in South Korea was 6.68 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest birth rates and death rates recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 47.12 in 1950.
- What is the lowest birth rates and death rates recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.99 in 2001.
- How does South Korea rank for birth rates and death rates?
- South Korea ranks 148th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is birth rates and death rates rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Birth rates and death rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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