Elementary enrollment to hit historic low this year as fertility rates fall

Social Affairs

Published: 03 Jan. 2024, 15:46 Updated: 03 Jan. 2024, 18:57

Elementary enrollment to hit historic low this year as fertility rates fall

Soon-to-be grade one students enter a classroom at an elementary school in Haeundae District, Busan, on Wednesday morning to attend their pre-orientation day. [YONHAP]

The number of students entering elementary school in Korea this year is projected to fall below 400,000 for the first time ever as the country grapples with its globally lowest fertility rate.

A total of 413,056 students have received their letters for school enrollment this year, according to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

However, given that only around 90 percent of those eligible for enrollment typically enter schools in March for multiple reasons, including studying overseas and health issues, the number of grade one students in 2024 is expected to fall below 400,000.

Last year, a total of 401,752 students enrolled in elementary schools nationwide.

The number of those born in 2017, who are expected to start school this year, plunged to 357,771, down some 48,000 compared to the previous year.

Elementary school enrollment in Seoul is also expected to reach its lowest figure this year.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, 59,492 students are eligible to attend private and public elementary schools this year. The figure marks the lowest in the capital, as the number nose-dived by 10.3 percent compared to the previous year.

The number has continuously dropped from 78,118 in 2019 to 66,324 last year.

As the number of young students dwindles due to the low birthrate in the country, the capital’s education office expects smaller schools to increase in the future. Schools with 240 students or fewer have steadily risen from 51 out of 582 schools last year, accounting for 9 percent of the total, to 73 out of 613 schools, accounting for 12 percent.

The education office anticipates the percentage of smaller schools will increase to around 14 percent by 2027.

The number of grade one students in Korea is anticipated to drop continuously in the coming years.

Those born in 2019 who are expected to start school in 2026 dropped to 302,676. The number of newborns last year has not been officially announced, but based on birth registration data, 235,039 babies were born, marking the lowest number yet.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]