South Korea Total fertility rate 2026: 0.72 per woman

South Korea's total fertility rate in 2026 is 0.72 per woman (estimate), down 4.0% from 2025. It ranks #234 of 236 countries.

The total fertility rate measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, reflecting population growth and demographic trends. Understanding this statistic is crucial for analyzing economic development, healthcare needs, and societal changes across countries.

South Korea•12 years of data (2015–2026)••United Nations Population Division•

Estimated value for 2026 (interpolated, no direct source).

Historical Trend

Total fertility rate over timeSome values are estimated based on historical trends

Year-by-Year Data
YearValueChange% ChangeActions
20260.72 per woman0.03 per woman-4.02%
20250.75 per woman+0.02 per woman+2.13%
20240.73 per woman+0.01 per woman+1.92%
20230.72 per woman0.06 per woman-7.69%
20220.78 per woman0 per woman-0.37%
20210.78 per woman0.03 per woman-3.59%
20200.81 per woman0.07 per woman-7.78%
20190.88 per woman0.07 per woman-7.43%
20180.95 per woman0.08 per woman-8.10%
20171.04 per woman0.11 per woman-9.21%
20161.14 per woman0.06 per woman-5.12%
20151.2 per woman——

Cite this page

Geo Factbook. (n.d.). South Korea: Total fertility rate. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/countries/south-korea/total-fertility-rate

The figures on this page come from United Nations Population Division. For academic work, cite the original source as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Korea Total fertility rate

What is South Korea's total fertility rate in 2026?▾

South Korea's total fertility rate is 0.72 per woman in 2026 (estimate), according to United Nations Population Division.

Is South Korea's total fertility rate increasing or decreasing?▾

South Korea's total fertility rate fell by 4.0% from 2025 (0.75 per woman) to 2026 (0.72 per woman). Over the past decade (2016–2026) it fell by 36.9%.

How does South Korea rank for total fertility rate?▾

In 2026, South Korea has the 234th highest total fertility rate out of 236 countries with data.

What was South Korea's total fertility rate in 2015?▾

In 2015, South Korea's total fertility rate was 1.20 per woman. By 2026 it fell by 40.1%.

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