National birth rate growth sees surprise record surge


Cute but costly: A file photo of baby clothes displayed at a baby fair in Seoul. High costs of child-rearing and housing, and a tough job market are cited as reasons for the nation’s low birth rate.— AFP

THE nation registered record birth rate growth in the first five months of the year, a statistics agency official said.

The country has one of the world’s longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates – a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge.

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