Jeollanam-do Province tops overall fertility nationwide for the third consecutive year, securing the highest birth rate in South Korea once again.

The province went ahead and announced on 26th February that its 2025 regional overall fertility rate was 1.1, hence marking the third consecutive year that it has topped the national rankings. The overall fertility rate goes on to represent the average number of births that are anticipated per woman in her reproductive period, which is essentially the ages 15–49. It is indeed a major indicator of a country or region’s level of fertility.

As per the preliminary 2025 birth statistics from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, Jeollanam-do’s number of births in 2025 was 8,731, which was an increase of 506, or 6.1%, from the past year, which was 8,225. The overall fertility rate climbed to 1.1, which was up by 0.07 from the last year, which was 1.03. 

If we talk of cities as well as counties, eight regions, namely, Jangseong, Yeonggwang, Jangheung, Gangjin, Hampyeong, Gwangyang, Boseong, and Goheung. - all were among the top 10 nationwide in entire fertility rate. It is well to be noted that Yeonggwang at 1.79, Jangseong at 1.68, and Gangjin featuring 1.64 ranked first, second, and third across the country, respectively. Moreover, eight other cities as well as countries that include Naju, Gokseong, and Hwasun went on to surpass a complete fertility rate of 1.0.

The fact is that along with Jeollanam-do topping overall fertility, it also happens to be investing almost 6 billion won per year in order to support those who are struggling with infertility, hence in a way expanding fertility testing, helping with infertility treatments, and also promoting certain fertility preservation initiatives. By way of Jeonnam-iTalk, which is an integrated platform for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, the province provides one-stop services, such as reservations at public postpartum care centers along with applications related to infertility treatment expenses that are tailored to the region.

In order to offer balanced postpartum care services, the province functions seven public postpartum care centers. Since 2022, it has gone on to dispatch health managers to all postpartum mothers, in spite of their income level, so as to support their recovery along with newborn care. 2025 alone saw 5,559 individuals making utmost use of this service.

In order to decrease childbirth along with childcare costs, the province offers a basic birth income of 200,000 Korean won every month for 18 years, in addition to 200,000 won for the second-born children and also 500,000 won for third-born children so that childcare product purchases can get covered.

The Director of Jeollanam-do’s Population, Youth, and Immigration Bureau, Yoon Yeon-hwa, remarked that “Local governments and communities must work together to ensure that childbirth and childcare are not solely the burden of individuals and families. By 2030, we aim to achieve 10,000 annual births and restore the overall fertility rate to 1.5 by continuously expanding customized policies covering all stages from pregnancy to childbirth and childcare.”