27 February

South Korea says its fertility rate fell last year to 0.92 which is a record low for the country.

Statistics Korea measures the average number of children a woman is expected to bear over her life. 

It says the fertility rate was below one for the second year in a row.

The number of births last year also dropped to 303,100. 

Both figures are the lowest since 1970, when the recordkeeping began.

When compared to other countries, the latest statistics by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development showed South Korea's birthrate was at the lowest level among members.

Statistic officials say the low fertility rate is due to the decline in the number of marriages and an upward trend of late marriage among young people.

It comes despite the government's efforts of expanding child allowances and supporting child care fees.

NHK