[THE INVESTOR] The number of marriages and childbirths in South Korea dropped to an all-time seasonal low in May, official data showed on July 23.

The number of newborns fell 5.8 percent on-year to 34,400 during the month, according to Statistics Korea.

It is the lowest for May since the agency began compiling related data in 2000.

The number of childbirths declined for the sixth consecutive month amid growing concerns over the nation‘s shrinking and aging population.

Marriages also plunged 8.6 percent to 25,500 in May, the lowest level since 2000.

Only a total of 24,000 couples got married in the first five months of this year, down 7.3 percent from a year earlier.

The number of deaths and divorces climbed 1.3 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively, on-year to 23,200 and 9,200 in May.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)