Jeonnam Ranks First Nationwide in Total Fertility Rate... 15.3% Increase in Newborns

Jeonnam Records Highest Total Fertility Rate Nationwide in Q1 at 1.30

Leads All 17 Provinces and Metropolitan Cities in Birth Rate

Jeollanam-do recorded a total fertility rate of 1.30 in the first quarter of this year, maintaining the highest birth rate among the 17 provinces and metropolitan cities nationwide. The number of newborns also showed a double-digit increase compared to the same period last year, continuing the upward trend in the birth rate.

According to Jeonnam Province on May 29, analysis results of the ‘March 2026 Population Trends’ released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on May 27 revealed that Jeollanam-do’s total fertility rate for the first quarter of 2026 was 1.30, ranking first nationwide. This marks the highest birth rate in the country for the third consecutive year since 2023.

The number of births in the first quarter was 2,569, an increase of 341, or 15.3%, from 2,228 during the same period last year.

Jeonnam Province cited its customized support policies that cover the entire process of pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing as the background for these results.

The recent opening ceremony of the 6th Public Postnatal Care Center in Jeollanam-do.
Photo by Jeonnam Province

Since last year, the province has implemented a basic income program for newborns, providing 200,000 won per month for 18 years to every child born in Jeonnam. In addition, Jeonnam operates seven public postpartum care centers—the highest number nationwide—offering mothers stable postpartum care services at affordable costs.

The province also provides additional funding so that all families with newborns can access maternal and newborn health manager services regardless of income. Support policies for couples struggling with infertility are being strengthened as well, such as expanding fertility testing, providing unlimited assisted reproductive procedures, supporting fertility preservation, and operating infertility and depression counseling centers.

Furthermore, Jeonnam runs the online integrated platform ‘Jeonnam iTalk,’ which provides comprehensive information related to pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, enabling one-stop reservations for public postpartum care centers and guidance on various support programs.

Yun Yeonhwa, Director of the Population and Youth Bureau at Jeonnam Province, stated, “A total fertility rate of 1.30 is the result of the efforts of local residents and communities, as well as the continued implementation of birth support policies,” adding, “We will continue to pursue comprehensive pregnancy and parenting policies to maintain the increase in births and achieve a total fertility rate of 1.5 by 2030.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.