Birthrates Hit Record Low Again in February

The number of babies born in February this year was a record low for the month. Statistics Korea said Wednesday that the number of newborns was 25,700, down 1,900 or 6.9 percent on-year and the lowest for February since relevant statistics were first compiled in 1981.

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The number of newborns has fallen for 35 consecutive months since April 2016. The number of newborns for the first two months of this year was 56,000, also an all-time low and down 3,900 or 6.5 percent, from a year ago.

Considering birthrates tend to decrease toward the end of the year, the total number of newborns for this year is projected at around 300,000, down from 326,900 last year.

The number of marriages also hit a record low in February at 18,200, down 800 or 42.2 percent from a year earlier. An official at Statistics Korea said, "The population of women of childbearing age is declining, and the number of marriages also fell for seven consecutive years.

Compounding this trend, the number of divorces in February was 8,200, up 500 or 6.5 percent, compared to the same period last year.