1 in 10 married women born in the 1980s do not have children. There is also a trend that the childless rate increases as the birth year becomes more recent.

According to the national statistical research institute of the National Statistical Office on the 27th, the childless rate for those aged 40 began to increase rapidly starting from those born in 1960. The childless rate for those born in the 1960s was 3.04%, while it slightly declined to 2.73% for those born in the 1970s; however, it surged to 6.76% for those born in 1975 and 9.64% for those born in the 1980s.

The low birthrate trend was also distinct when viewed among all women. An analysis of the average number of children born by age 40 revealed that women born in 1920 and 1930 had an average of 5.1 and 5 children, respectively. However, this number significantly decreased to 3.9 for those born in the 1940s and 2.6 for those born in the 1950s.

The National Statistical Office noted, "This seems to be due to the impact of family planning policies that were actively implemented starting in the 1960s," and explained that "the effects of this policy are estimated to have continued from those born in the 1940s to those born in the 1950s."

Starting with those born in the 1960s, the birthrate dropped to the range of 1 child. The birthrate for those born in the 1960s (by age 40) averaged 1.9 children, 1.7 for those born in the 1970s, and 1.5 for those born in 1975. The birthrate among those born in the 1980s increased slightly again to 1.7.

Meanwhile, the trend of rising age at first childbirth and late-life births has also become evident. Until those born in the 1970s, the first child was mainly born in the late 20s, but for those born in the 1980s, the age for first childbirth has been pushed back to the early 30s.

Additionally, starting from those born in the late 1970s, there is an emerging trend of an increase in births after the age of 36. The number of children born after age 36 for women born in the late 1970s was 1.41, while the number after age 41 increased to 1.49. The National Statistical Office plans to continue monitoring the delay in childbirth timing among those born in the 1980s.

A spokesperson from the National Statistical Office stated, "In Korean society, there is a strong tendency to view marriage as a prerequisite for childbirth," adding that "with the rise in marriage age, there appears to be a natural delay in the age for first childbirth as well. This change has started to become prominent beginning with those born in the 1980s."