According to the National Statistical Office of South Korea, the country's total fertility rate for 2025 is projected to be 0.80, an increase from 0.75 the previous year, marking the second consecutive annual rise from the all-time low of 0.72 recorded in 2023. Despite this slight increase, South Korea continues to face a severe demographic crisis, having one of the lowest birth rates among advanced nations, including Japan, which has a projected rate of 1.15 for 2024. The number of births in 2025 is anticipated to reach approximately 254,500, a 6.8% increase from the previous year.

One of the main factors contributing to the increase in birth rates is the resurgence of marriage rates that were suppressed during the pandemic, particularly since mid-2022. The growth in the population of individuals in their early thirties, who were born during past baby booms, has also played a significant role in this trend. According to officials from the statistical office, there is a tendency for couples in South Korea to have children about two years after marriage, suggesting that the upward trend in birth rates may continue until around 2027.

Historically, South Korea's total fertility rate exceeded 4.0 until the early 1970s, but it has been on a decline since, dropping to 1.74 in 1984. The issues underlying this demographic decline include a rise in later marriages, job insecurity, an increase in non-regular employment, and soaring housing prices in the capital region, which reflect escalating competition and inequality in society. These ongoing challenges contribute to a complex dilemma as the government seeks to bolster birth rates amidst changing societal norms and economic realities.