Korea’s population drop eases, raising hopes of reversal

South Korea’s population decline slowed sharply in January as a rebound in births raised expectations that the country could approach a turning point after years of contraction. The natural decrease — deaths minus births — narrowed to 5,539, the smallest gap in four years, according to official data released Thursday. The country recorded 26,916 births and 32,454 deaths in January, extending the natural decline, though at a much slower pace. Korea’s population has been shrinking since peaking at

By The Korea Herald