South Korea sees record birth rate growth

South Korea's birth rate saw a significant increase in May, with 20,309 babies born, up nearly 4% from last year. This marks the highest birth rate in over a decade. The government has invested billions to encourage childbirth through cash subsidies, babysitting services, and infertility support.

Marriages have also surged, climbing 4% to 21,761, contributing to the rising birth rates. Despite this growth, South Korea's fertility rate remains the lowest in the world at 0.75, largely due to high living costs. Without an increase to 2.1 children per woman, the population may halve by 2100.