South Korea – Twin Birth Rate Second-Highest Globally, Report Warns

Story by Cho Seong-ho

Amid a sharp increase in twin (multiple-fetus) pregnancies and births in South Korea, there have been calls for policy shifts to reduce the risks associated with twin births for mothers and fetuses.

The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs pointed out in its report titled *Current Status and Implications of Multi-Fetus Policies* released on the 18th that “while twin births carry high risks for mothers and fetuses, policy efforts to protect their health and reduce twin pregnancies have been relatively insufficient.”

Graphics by Jeong Da-un

According to the report, the proportion of twins among all births in South Korea increased from 3.7% (16,166 infants) in 2015 to 5.7% (13,461 infants) last year. Among these, the proportion of high-order multiples (triplets or more) rose from 2.4% (392 infants) to 3.4% (457 infants).

South Korea’s twin birth rate was 28.8 cases per 1,000 deliveries last year. This was the second-highest among countries included in the Human Multiple Birth Database (HMBD), following Greece (29.5 cases), and nearly double the HMBD average of 15.5 cases.

The high-order multiple birth rate was 0.67 cases per 1,000 deliveries, the highest among HMBD countries, surpassing the average of 0.2 cases by more than threefold.

The report analyzed that South Korea’s increasing twin birth rate is unique compared to the declining rates in other countries worldwide. It noted, “While the average age of childbirth is rising and assisted reproductive technologies are advancing, the phenomenon of ‘convenience-oriented childbirth’—aiming to have and raise two children simultaneously through a single pregnancy and birth—is a unique trend in South Korea.”

The average age of mothers at childbirth in South Korea rose from 32.2 years old in 2015 to 33.7 years old last year. Notably, the average age of mothers giving birth to twins was 35.3 years old, higher than that of mothers of singletons (33.6 years old). The number of patients undergoing infertility treatments also increased by 33% over seven years, from 121,038 in 2018 to 161,083 last year.

The report argued, “Current policies are overly focused on medical interventions and economic support for high-risk newborns after birth, as well as one-time economic support post-birth.” It emphasized the need to “strengthen policies that guarantee health rights at the pre-pregnancy stage and reduce the twin pregnancy rate.”

WUNRN

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/12/18/6QWENCGRXNDKPDOMP757MKSETE/