SOUTH Korea’s childbirth posted the lowest January figure, maintaining worry about a so-called demographic cliff, a government report showed on Wednesday.

The number of newborn babies was 30,300 in January, down 6.2 per cent, or 2,000, from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea.

It was the lowest January reading since the statistical office began compiling the data in 1981.

The record-low trend lasted for 34 months since April 2016.

The continued fall in the newborn was attributable to the social trend of delayed marriage and the reducing number of women, who are of childbearing age.

The number of marriages dipped 12.7 per cent over the year to 21,300 in January, logging the lowest January figure.

The number of divorces grew nine per cent to 9,700 in the month.

The continued slide in childbirth fuelled concern about the demographic cliff, which refers to a sudden drop in the heads of household eventually leading to a consumption cliff.

According to the statistical office’s estimate, the South Korean population was forecast to begin falling from 2028.

The low birth rate has been a headache for the South Korean economy as it can lead to the lower workforce amid the fast-ageing population, which would drag down the economy’s growth potential.

BE

– Mar. 27, 2019 @ 12:09 GMT |