Archive · 11 Aug 2025
South Korea's Military Shrinks Amidst Low Birth Rate
South Korea's army is getting smaller because there aren't as many young men to join.
This is happening because the country has very few babies being born.
In the last six years, the army has shrunk by 20%.
The number of young men available to be soldiers has also dropped a lot.
This could cause problems for South Korea because they are still technically at war with North Korea.
The government is trying to fix this by encouraging more women to join the military and offering bonuses, but it might not be enough to solve the problem.
South Korea's military size has decreased by 20% in six years, now around 450,000 active troops.
This decline is linked to the world's lowest birth rate, shrinking the pool of potential conscripts.
The number of 20-year-old men (eligible for conscription) decreased by 30% between 2019 and 2025.
The government aims to maintain a minimum of 500,000 troops, with shortages in non-commissioned officer ranks.
The declining population and low birth rate are a broader societal issue.
- Who
- The South Korean military and the country's government.
- What
- South Korea's military is shrinking due to declining birth rates and fewer eligible recruits.
- When
- The army's size has declined 20% in the last six years.
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- The decline is primarily due to South Korea's low birth rate, leading to a smaller pool of potential soldiers.
Government Concerns
Societal Reality
National Security
Government Concerns
The shrinking military poses a risk to national security.
Societal Reality
The military's reduction needs solutions to avoid a weak national defense.
- Active Troops
- Approx. 450,000
- Decline in 6 years
- 20%
- Lowest Birth Rate
- South Korea
- Fertility Rate (2024)
- 0.75
- Men aged 18-28
- Eligible for conscription
- North Korea Troops
- Approx. 1.2 million