South Korean Birth Rates Surge at Record Pace in February as Fertility Rate Reaches Seven-Year High

South Korean birth rates hit a record growth pace in February 2026, driven by women in their 30s as the total fertility rate climbs to 0.93.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the Ministry of Data and Statistics and Yonhap News Agency.

Unprecedented Growth in Monthly Newborn Totals

Government data released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Data and Statistics reveals that the number of babies born in South Korea rose at a record-breaking pace this February. A total of 22,898 newborns were recorded during the month, representing a robust 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This figure represents the highest total for any February since 2019 and marks the most significant growth rate for the month since the ministry began documenting such data in 1981.

Demographic Shift Driven by Women in Their Thirties

The ministry's findings indicate that the recent surge in births is being led predominantly by women in their 30s. The birth rate per 1,000 women in their early 30s rose by 9.1 to reach 86.1, while the figure for women in their late 30s saw a similar increase of 9.2 to settle at 61.5. In contrast, the growth among women in their late 20s was significantly more modest, rising by only 1.6 to 23.9. This data suggests a concentrated shift in reproductive timing as women in older cohorts contribute more heavily to the national birth tally.

Recovery of the Total Fertility Rate

The country’s total fertility rate, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, rose by 0.1 year-on-year to reach 0.93 in February. This improvement follows a consistent upward trend in newborn numbers that began in July 2024. While the rate remains below the replacement level, the steady monthly increases indicate a potential stabilization in South Korea's demographic landscape after years of sharp declines.