South Korea Natural Population Change
South Korea's natural population change (births minus deaths) was -108,627 in 2025, up 11,625 from 2024. The record low was -123,753 in 2022. By province, South Jeolla was lowest (-6.3 per 1,000 people) and Sejong highest (3.4 per 1,000 people).
1990–2025
Data table
| Year | Natural Population Change |
|---|---|
| 2025 | -108,627 |
| 2024 | -120,252 |
| 2023 | -122,483 |
| 2022 | -123,753 |
| 2021 | -57,118 |
| 2020 | -32,611 |
| 2019 | 7,566 |
| 2018 | 28,002 |
| 2017 | 72,237 |
| 2016 | 125,416 |
| 2015 | 162,525 |
| 2014 | 167,743 |
| 2013 | 170,198 |
| 2012 | 217,329 |
| 2011 | 213,869 |
| 2010 | 214,766 |
| 2009 | 197,907 |
| 2008 | 219,779 |
| 2007 | 250,340 |
| 2006 | 207,597 |
| 2005 | 192,833 |
| 2004 | 230,738 |
| 2003 | 248,573 |
| 2002 | 249,387 |
| 2001 | 316,121 |
| 2000 | 391,349 |
| 1999 | 372,934 |
| 1998 | 395,769 |
| 1997 | 430,701 |
| 1996 | 450,077 |
| 1995 | 472,182 |
| 1994 | 478,746 |
| 1993 | 481,569 |
| 1992 | 494,516 |
| 1991 | 467,005 |
| 1990 | 408,122 |
By province, 2025 (per 1,000 people)
Data table
| Province | Natural Population Change, per 1,000 people |
|---|---|
| Sejong | 3.4 |
| Gyeonggi | -0.1 |
| Ulsan | -0.8 |
| Incheon | -0.8 |
| Seoul | -0.8 |
| Daejeon | -1.1 |
| Gwangju | -1.9 |
| Jeju | -2.1 |
| Daegu | -2.7 |
| North Chungcheong | -3.5 |
| South Chungcheong | -4.0 |
| Busan | -4.1 |
| South Gyeongsang | -4.2 |
| Gangwon | -5.2 |
| Jeonbuk | -6.0 |
| North Gyeongsang | -6.3 |
| South Jeolla | -6.3 |
Context
Natural population change is the number of births minus the number of deaths. It shows whether a population is growing or shrinking on its own, before counting people moving in or out of the country.
In 1990 South Korea added about 408,000 people this way. That surplus narrowed as births fell and deaths rose, and in 2020 the country recorded more deaths than births for the first time. The gap widened to a record 123,753 in 2022.
In 2025 the natural decrease was 108,627, smaller than the year before thanks to the rise in births. Every province except Sejong, a planned administrative city with a young population, now has more deaths than births.