<h1>South Korea Sees First Birth Rate Increase in Nine Years, Experts Cite Delayed Marriages and Demographic Shifts</h1> South Korea experienced a rise in births in 2024, marking the first increase in nine years, with 238,300 babies born, up by 8,300 from the previous year. The fertility rate slightly improved to 0.75 from 0.72 in 2023. Experts attribute this to delayed marriages during the COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in the population entering their early 30s. Despite government incentives, challenges such as high living costs and societal pressures deter young people from having children. The sustainability of this trend remains uncertain, with experts urging targeted support for young couples wishing to start families.