Fewer than 10 babies born in 38% of cities, counties in Korea last year

A nurse holds a newborn at a postnatal care center at CHA Ilsan Medical Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, July 24. Yonhap

More than 1 in 3 cities and counties in Korea saw fewer than 10 childbirths last year, statistics showed Sunday, highlighting deepening regional disparities in births.

The rate is mainly driven by a smaller number of births than before amid population decline, along with the fact that some regions, especially in rural areas, do not have obstetric facilities at all, forcing expectant mothers to give birth in neighboring regions.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the country saw 237,484 births in small to large hospitals and midwifery centers last year. Out of 251 cities, counties and districts, 97 — or 38.6 percent — recorded fewer than 10 births.

These so-called "childbirth deserts" span both sparsely populated counties and some small cities. They included Gwacheon, Dongducheon, Uiwang, Anseong and Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. There are also Taebaek in Gangwon Province; Gyerong in South Chungcheong Province; Gimje in North Jeolla Province; Naju in South Jeolla Province; and Mungyeong and Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang Province.

The ratio of such regions was 37.1 percent in 2022 and 36.7 percent in 2023, showing similar levels in recent years.

The low figures often reflect a lack of maternity facilities rather than an absence of newborns, as many expectant mothers have to travel to nearby cities to give birth when local obstetrics services are unavailable.

For example, Statistics Korea data shows only two regions — Yeongyang County and Ulleung County in North Gyeongsang Province — had fewer than 50 newborns registered as residents. This means expectant mothers living in the remaining 95 cities and countries gave birth to babies in neighboring regions and registered the births in their actual regions of residence.

Experts note that maintaining delivery facilities in such areas can be financially unsustainable due to low patient numbers, even with government subsidies.

"The government has long supported areas with weak maternity infrastructure, but if the number of deliveries stays this low, it’s hard for hospitals to keep operating," said Yoon Seok-jun, a professor at Korea University College of Medicine. "It may be more effective to strengthen emergency transport, establish referral networks and connect local clinics to larger hospitals so that women can give birth safely."

The findings come amid a rare uptick in national birth numbers. Statistics Korea reported that births rose year-on-year for 11 consecutive months through May, boosted by more marriages and a range of central and local policies encouraging childbirth.

In May, 20,309 babies were born nationwide, up 3.8 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest May increase in 14 years.

From January to May, Korea recorded 106,058 births, a 6.9 percent rise from the same period last year — the fastest growth rate since data collection began in 1981.