South Korea sees rise in birthrate after nine years, becomes a super-aged society
Seoul: South Korea recorded its first increase in newborns in nearly a decade, with 2,42,334 babies born in 2024, reflecting a 3.1% rise compared to the previous year, according to government data released on Friday. This marks a notable shift for a nation struggling with one of the world's lowest fertility rates.
The data from the Ministry of the Interior highlighted that this is the first annual increase after eight consecutive years of decline. Despite the rise in births, the country’s total population continued its downward trend, decreasing for the fifth year in a row since 2020. The total registered population stood at 51,217,221 in 2024.
On December 24, South Korea officially entered the category of a "super-aged" society, with individuals aged 65 and older now comprising 20% of the population. The Ministry of Interior and Safety reported that 10.24 million people in this age group represent a significant demographic shift, with women in this category accounting for 22% of the female population and men 18% of the male population.
Regional disparities were evident, with South Jeolla Province recording the highest proportion of elderly residents at 27.18%, while the central city of Sejong reported the lowest at 11.57%. In Seoul, the figure stood at 19.41%.
The elderly population in South Korea has been steadily rising over the years. In 2008, individuals aged 65 and older made up 10% of the population, with numbers climbing to 19.05% in early 2024 before surpassing 20% in December.
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Air India flight to Mumbai returns to Jaipur shortly after take-off
Jaipur, Jul 25 (PTI): An Air India flight bound for Mumbai from Jaipur returned to the airport due to a suspected technical snag mid-air on Friday, officials said.
"Flight AI612 operating from Jaipur to Mumbai returned to Jaipur shortly after take-off due to a suspected technical issue. Troubleshooting checks were carried out, and it was determined to be a false indication," Air India said in a statement.
Following the checks, the aircraft was cleared for operations, and the flight continued to its destination in Mumbai.
Air India, in its statement, emphasised that passenger safety is the airline's top priority.
