A report on school enrollment from South Korea's Ministry of Education, cited by the Chosun daily on 3/3, indicates that 210 primary schools across the country currently have no first-grade students. This figure represents an 81% increase compared to five years ago, when 116 schools faced a similar situation.

The problem is most prevalent in Nam Jeolla province, where 45 schools have no new students. Bac Gyeongsang province follows with 38 schools, and Bac Jeolla province with 23 schools affected by this trend.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of South Korea's continuously declining birth rate, a trend that has persisted for nearly a decade. In 2023, the country faced a "national emergency" as its birth rate plummeted to 0.721, the world's lowest.

Despite a slight increase to 0.75 in 2024, the school-age population continues to decline sharply. Experts believe this trend will be difficult to reverse in the short term, leading to an increasing number of primary schools lacking first-grade students. Many parents are transferring their children when they discover their child is the only one in their grade level.

On the opening day, 3/3, at a primary school in Gangwon province, Kang Mo was the only first-grade student. Twenty-one other schools in the province experienced similar circumstances, holding "solitary opening ceremonies" with just one student.

An opening ceremony with only one first-grade student in Gangwon province. Photo: Yonhap

While Seoul had previously recorded 4-5 schools not enrolling first-grade students annually, these instances were primarily due to reconstruction. The current situation marks the first time that schools in the capital are experiencing a lack of first-grade students not linked to redevelopment.

Member of Parliament Jin Sun Mi stated that the increasing number of schools without new students, now spreading to major cities, is an alarming sign. The MP emphasized, "The Ministry of Education needs to implement measures to improve the educational environment, ensuring that children attending schools with few students are not disadvantaged."

South Korea is actively working to boost birth campaigns. The government's recently announced 2026 budget draft includes a series of benefits for newborns and families with young children. For example, a family in Seoul having their first child from 2026 will receive a total of 30.8 million won (over 567 million dong), regardless of income.

According to data released in January, monthly births in South Korea have increased year-on-year for 17 consecutive months. This offers hope for a second consecutive year of birth rate growth, beginning in 2024.

Compiled by Hai Yen