South Korea is fast becoming an aged society amid record-low childbirths and marriages, official data showed Thursday.

The number of newborn babies in the country declined 13.9 percent on-year to 31,600 in October, according to Statistics Korea.

It marks the lowest since such data were first compiled here in 2000.

A total of 349,000 babies were born in the first 10 months of this year, down 6.4 percent from a year earlier.

"Given the trend, the number of babies born this year is expected to stand at 413,000 this year, the lowest level since relevant data became available," a Statistics Korea official said.

South Korea also continued to suffer a decreasing number of marriages. The number totaled 22,000 during the month, down 5.2 percent from a year earlier. It's the smallest October figure since 21,780 recorded in 2015.

That of marriages in the January-October period also dropped 6.4 percent on-year to 227,900.

"It's certain that the number of marriages will fall below 300,000 this year," the official added.

Meanwhile, 645,000 South Koreans moved their residence in November, a 0.8 percent drop on-year, the third consecutive month of a decline. (Yonhap)