Group 1 - The core issue in South Korea is the declining birth rate, with only 8% of children born in 2022 being third or more, the lowest among OECD countries [1] - In 2023, the proportion of children born as third or more further decreased to 7.5%, while the proportion of first-born children exceeded 60%, marking a record high since statistics began [1][2] - The average age of first-time mothers in South Korea is 33.5 years, the highest among OECD countries, contributing to the trend of late marriage and childbearing [2] Group 2 - The total fertility rate in South Korea has been declining since 2016, reaching a record low of 0.72 in 2023, with a slight increase to 0.75 in 2024, still far below the 2.1 needed for population stability [2] - South Korea is facing a severe demographic shift, with a significant number of young people delaying or forgoing marriage and childbirth due to high living costs and job market challenges [2][3] - The aging population is accelerating, with over 20% of the population aged 65 and above, leading to a natural population decrease of 120,000 in 2024 [3] Group 3 - The South Korean government has implemented various policies to encourage marriage and childbirth, including transportation subsidies for pregnant women and postpartum care subsidies [3] - Local governments are also engaging in initiatives like collective matchmaking events to boost marriage rates and, consequently, birth rates [3]