S. Korean president announces new ministry to tackle national birth rate crisis
South Korea has set up a new ministry to address the country's declining birth rate, described as a "national emergency."
Thu May 09 2024
South Korea's Yoon pledges focus on economy after election shock
In his first news conference in 21 months, Yoon pledged to focus on improving the economy and tackling what he called the national emergency of flagging birth rates.
Thu May 09 2024
Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops
The closures come as Chinese policymakers grapple with how to boost young couples' desire to have children.
Tue Mar 19 2024
Number of South Korea marriages edges up in 2023 after 11 years of falls
Most South Koreans cite high housing costs as the biggest hurdle for getting married.
Tue Mar 19 2024
S. Korean builder Booyoung offers employees US$75,000 per birth
It is the first time for a South Korean company to give such a high fertility incentive in cash to its workers.
Mon Feb 05 2024
China's population drops for 2nd year, raises long-term growth concerns
The National Bureau of Statistics said the total number of people in China dropped by 2.08 million, or 0.15%, to 1.409 billion in 2023.
Wed Jan 17 2024
China launches probe into surrogacy, fake paternity tests in Wuhan
The suspension comes amid several investigations related to the issuance of fake birth certificates as surrogacy is illegal in China.
Wed Nov 29 2023
South Korean city turns to matchmaking to boost low birth rates
100 South Korean men and women gathered at a hotel near Seoul, dressed in their best at a mass blind-dating event, hoping to find love.
Mon Nov 27 2023
Dogs don kimonos, receive blessings in place of children in aging Japan
The Zama Shrine hosts Shichi-Go-San rituals where pet parents can pray for the health and happiness of their animals.
Sat Nov 18 2023
Malaysia's aged population to grow at 4.5 pct CAGR from 2022-2030 - RHB Research
Research reveals the rapid shift towards an ageing demographic status would mean a continuation of the decline of the working population.
Wed Nov 08 2023
What does the future of fertility look like?
With falling birth rates and rising longevity, World Fertility Day is a good time to take stock of the future of baby making.
Fri Nov 03 2023
China kicks off nationwide population survey amid declining birth rate
Authorities struggle to incentivise people to have more children amid a declining birth rate.
Wed Nov 01 2023
Births in China slide 10% to hit their lowest on record
A drop that comes despite a slew of govt efforts to support parents, amid increasing alarm that China become demographically imbalanced.
Fri Oct 13 2023
Number of centenarians in Japan surpasses 92,000 for the first time
Life expectancy for women in Japan is around 87 years, for men around 81 years.
Fri Sep 15 2023
In Japan, a third of today's 18-year-olds may not have children - Study
Miho Iwasawa, the IPSS's director of population dynamics research, said people were getting married later, leading to a decline in births.
Wed Aug 30 2023