Demographic waves can cause a temporary birth surge decades after a baby boom
Demographic waves can trigger unexpected birth surges decades after an initial baby boom, as the children of the original boom reach their own peak childbearing years.
South Korea is experiencing a demographic phenomenon known as an 'echo boom,' where a temporary rise in births occurs despite an overall decline in fertility. This surge is driven by the children of the 1990s baby boom reaching their early 30s and starting families of their own. In early 2026, monthly births rose by over 11%, marking the highest levels seen in years.
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