South Korea's military has seen a 20% reduction over six years, primarily caused by a significant drop in the male enlistment age population due to low birth rates. The military may face operational challenges due to a shortage of available recruits and officers. South Korea's current troop count is approximately 450,000, down from 690,000 in the early 2000s. The 20-year-old male population has declined by 30%, leading to a critical shortage for mandatory enlistment. The nation also has the world’s lowest fertility rate at 0.75 in 2024, contributing to demographic challenges and projected population decreases.
South Korea's military has shrunk by 20% in the past six years, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of men of enlistment age for mandatory service.
The sharp decline in the pool of men available for military service is causing a shortfall in the number of officers and could result in operational difficulties.
The population of 20-year-old men in South Korea declined by 30% to 230,000 from 2019 to 2025, exacerbating military enlistment challenges.
South Korea's fertility rate is the lowest in the world at 0.75 in 2024, impacting future military recruitment and population growth.
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