K-Pop fans are joking though.
Koreaboo
For years, South Korea has been concerned about its low birth rate, one of the worst in the world. Now, the country has seen an increase in birth rates for the first time in nearly a decade.
In 2024, South Korea welcomed 242,334 children, marking the first increase in its annual figure since 2015. This is therefore the first increase in South Korea’s birth rate in nine years. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Security, “The official birth figure increased by 7,295 from 235,039 in 2023, an increase of 3.1%.”
While the recovery in births offers a glimmer of hope in terms of demographic decline, the country continues to age. The average age of Koreans in 2024 was 45.3 years, up from the average age of 44.8 the previous year.
– The Korea Herald
Unfortunately, South Korea also recorded 360,757 deaths in 2024, which led to the population continuing to decline for the fifth consecutive year.
According to the ministry’s latest count, South Korea’s population stands at 51,217.22.
– The Korea Herald
However, South Korea remains confident about the increase in births. Previously, in June last year, the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol declared a “national population emergency” after attending a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy. It was organized to combat the country’s declining birth rate, as Korea’s fertility rate, or the number of children a woman has in her lifetime, hit an all-time low of 0.76 in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to drop to 0.68 thereafter. year.
The total fertility rate for Korea has been trending downward since 1.48 in 2000, falling below 1 for the first time in 2018 and hitting a record low of 0.72 in 2023.
– The Korea Herald
Since then, the government has launched measures to increase the country’s birth rate, such as financial incentives and state childcare services.
With the good news circulating on social media, K-Pop fans have been joking about what may have actually increased the country’s birth rate. Netizens posted clips of their favorite idols playing with children.
everyone thanks for running Jin episode 13 pic.twitter.com/I0FAZZAbAU https://t.co/ipndmLeeQH
— gay tuna (@jinfrosting) January 10, 2025
Oh, I guess propaganda works well! https://t.co/jKzUWRKfiU pic.twitter.com/IrYnIDqE5v
— with (@ildonly) January 9, 2025
everyone says thank you, choi minhopic.twitter.com/NWU1pmDvgw https://t.co/ipk59ADYO1
— rahima ᥫ᭡. (@choisrose) January 10, 2025
South Korea thanks for this video pic.twitter.com/89ydL2DKWg https://t.co/F0nX9q8RiN
— mire⁷✶🦋💚 SEEING ATEEZ ✧ (@min__yoogi) January 9, 2025
Fans have often joked that content on variety shows showcasing celebrities with children is actually “propaganda” to increase Korea’s birth rate. Read more below.
BTS Jin variety show accused of ‘propaganda’
