gettyimagesbank
As Korea continues to grapple with a persistently low birthrate, the proportion of natural childbirths has significantly declined, with data showing that two out of three mothers are now delivering babies via cesarean section or C-section.
According to data submitted by Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, obtained from the National Health Insurance Service, the number of natural childbirths in Korea has declined by 44.3 percent over the past five years, dropping from 145,325 natural births in 2019 to 81,002 in 2023.
In 2019, the total number of births in Korea, including both C-sections and natural births, was 297,339. Natural births accounted for 49.9 percent of these deliveries, while C-sections comprised 51.1 percent, resulting in a nearly equal distribution between the two methods.
However, the proportion of natural births has steadily declined each year, decreasing from 49.9 percent in 2019 to 35.8 percent in 2023. Conversely, the rate of C-sections has risen from 51.1 percent in 2019 to 64.2 percent in 2023.
In the first half of this year alone, there were 37,960 natural births compared to 77,102 C-sections, resulting in a rate of 67 percent. This trend is observed across all 17 metropolitan cities in Korea, with significant declines in natural births over the past five years. In Seoul, natural births halved from 25,550 in 2019 to 13,769 in 2023. Similarly, in Busan, the number dropped nearly by half from 7,154 to 3,461 during the same period.
Kim emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the continuous decline in natural childbirths. She called for a comprehensive analysis of the various factors contributing to this trend to develop a medical environment that ensures safer and healthier childbirth options for mothers.
"Understanding why natural births are decreasing so rapidly is crucial," Kim said. "We must analyze the underlying causes to create a medical system that supports safe and healthy childbirth for all mothers."