Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Ranks First Nationwide in Birth Growth Rate for June; Marriage Numbers Also on the Rise

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the number of births in June 2025 reached 1,114, showing the highest growth rate among cities and provinces nationwide compared to the same month last year. This is an increase of 142 births compared to June of the previous year (972 births), representing a growth rate of 14.6 percent.

According to the population trend statistics released today (27th) by Statistics Korea, the total number of births nationwide in June was 19,953, an increase of 9.4 percent compared to the same month last year. By region, Busan (14.6%) was followed by Daejeon (13.3%), Gwangju and Chungbuk (12.1%), and Gyeongnam (10.9%).

In addition, the cumulative number of births in Busan during the first half of the year was 6,904, which is 481 more (up 7.5%) than the same period last year (6,423).

Furthermore, the number of marriages in Busan in June was 961, an increase of 105 cases (12.3%) compared to the same month last year. The cumulative number of marriages in the first half of the year was 6,255, which is 565 more (up 9.9%) than the same period last year, 2.8 percentage points higher than the national average increase rate (7.1%).

Statistics Korea also announced finalized birth statistics for 2024. In Busan, the number of births was 13,063 (an increase of 197 compared to the previous year), and the total fertility rate was 0.68 (an increase of 0.02 compared to the previous year), marking a simultaneous rebound for the first time in nine years.

By district, Busanjin-gu recorded the highest number of births with 1,613, followed by Haeundae-gu (1,430), Dongnae-gu (1,208), Buk-gu (1,149), and Saha-gu (1,023).

By total fertility rate, Gangseo-gu recorded the highest at 0.97, followed by Gijang-gun (0.88), Dongnae-gu (0.76), Yeongdo-gu (0.75), and Buk-gu (0.74).

This rebound in the low birthrate trend is analyzed as largely attributable to Busan’s customized policies throughout the life cycle, covering marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

In terms of housing policy: support includes housing loans and interest subsidies for newlyweds, the Newlywed Lucky 7 House program, and the “Together for Life, Youth and Family Housing” program that provides lifelong public rental housing rent support for newlyweds with two or more children.

In the marriage sector: support includes small-scale weddings at public wedding halls and the “My Love, My Wedding” program.

In the pregnancy sector: services include the Mama Call maternity taxi service, parking fee reductions at public parking lots for pregnant women, eco-friendly agricultural product packages for pregnant women, comprehensive support for infertile couples, fertility preservation medical cost support, and Pink Light alerts for maternity seats on public transit.

In the childbirth sector: support includes Busan-style postpartum care subsidies, childbirth allowances for second children and beyond, and electric vehicle purchase subsidies for families with newborns through the “I Love Children, I Love Busan” program.

In childcare and parenting: programs include free public transportation fares for children, Busan-style infant classes, Busan-style 365 Open Time Daycare Centers, subsidies for necessary childcare expenses (field trip fees, special activity fees), inpatient child care services, the operation of Busan’s Moonlight Children’s Hospitals, and the establishment of “Deullak Nallak,” Busan’s integrated cultural spaces for children within a 15-minute living radius.

For large families: benefits include education support points, discounts on public parking and public facility fees, and other advantages.

Busan Metropolitan City will continue to implement policies that support childbirth and parenting families in the second half of the year. The goal is to overcome the low birthrate, reduce the burden on parents, and foster a childbearing- and parenting-friendly environment where families raise children together.

To enhance positive perceptions of childbirth and parenting, the city will operate “Pink Culture Day” (once a month) for pregnant women and families with young children, host the “Happy Family, Four Seasons in Busan” calendar drawing contest (August–November), implement the “Let’s Parent Together” cooperative program with city and district/county father groups (September 14), and conduct the citizen-participation campaign “Children are Happiness, Busan” (October 24–25).

In addition, in October, a community-based dedicated play space for infants and toddlers, called the “Treasured Like You Public Kids Café,” will open within Citizen Park.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The laughter of children is the future of our city, and we will strive to sustain this rebound in the birthrate. We will concentrate the city’s efforts on making Busan a city where children can laugh joyfully and happily, and where parents can raise their children without undue burden—a city that is good for giving birth and raising children.”