The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, May 19, 2022 | 02:05
South Koreas Birthrate Worlds Lowest
Posted : 2009-05-22 17:28
Updated : 2009-05-22 17:28
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

South Korea’s birthrate was the world’s lowest for the second consecutive year, according to the World Health Organization, Thursday.

A South Korean woman gives birth to 1.2 babies on average, based on statistics of 2007. The figure was the same as a year before, and has fallen from the 1990’s rate of 1.6 and 2000’s 1.4.

The country ranked at the bottom among 193 nations, along with Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

Several Eastern European countries, Russia and Japan also showed low birthrates with 1.3 babies, followed by 10 nations including Germany, Spain and Macedonia, with 1.4, and Canada and Cuba, with 1.5.

North Korean women gave birth to 1.9 babies, a drop from 1990’s 2.4 and 2000’s 2.

Nigeria recorded the highest birthrate with 7.2 and Afghanistan was second highest with 7.1, but their life expectancy was 51 and 42, respectively, the world’s lowest level.

The nation’s average life expectancy was 79, ranking 28th. It was a half-year increase from a year before. By gender, women live an average of 82 years and men, 76 years.

The life expectancy of North Koreans was 66 ― 64 years for men and 68 years for women. Japan and San Marino recorded the longest expectancy, 82.5 years.

South Korea also ranked 28th in healthy life expectancy, the number of years that a person can expect to live in good health, with 71 years compared to the North Korean average of 59 years.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • [INTERVIEW] Yoon's efforts to bolster Korea-US alliance will inevitably disturb China
  • Protecting Korea's semiconductor leadership
  • CJ, Ottogi uneasy about Harim's tactics to sell new cooked rice
  • Fear of deadliest famine in 1990s haunts North Korea amid national lockdown
  • Anti-LGBTQ sentiment widespread in Korea: survey
  • South Korea to join US-led Indo-Pacific economic initiative
  • [INTERVIEW] Time to go back to corporation-driven growth: economist
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases above 30,000 for 2nd day; Omicron transmission continues to slow
  • North Korea asks China, Russia for help amid COVID crisis: reports
  • Kim says Chinese permanent residents should be stripped of right to vote in Korea
  • Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface
  • 'Doctor Strange 2' tops 5 million admissions 'Doctor Strange 2' tops 5 million admissions
  • Girls' Generation to make comeback in August after five years Girls' Generation to make comeback in August after five years
  • Musical 'Beethoven' to hit stage next year Musical 'Beethoven' to hit stage next year
  • PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up' PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up'
DARKROOM
  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

  • Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

    Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group