The South Korean military has experienced a significant decrease of 20% over the past six years, primarily due to a drastic decline in eligible men for mandatory military service, according to a recent report. This decline is attributed to the world’s lowest birthrate, which has also resulted in a shortage of officers and potential operational challenges.
The report, prepared for Choo Mi-ae, a member of the ruling Democratic Party of South Korea, highlighted the steady military contraction from approximately 690,000 soldiers in the early 2000s to around 450,000 troops now. In contrast, North Korea’s active military is estimated to be about 1.2 million, as per the 2022 defense ministry assessment.
Government data indicates that the population of 20-year-old men in South Korea has decreased by 30% from 2019 to 2025, affecting military recruitment since 20 is the typical age for enlistment after passing a physical exam. South Korea’s rapid aging and its world-lowest fertility rate of 0.75 babies per woman in 2024 are significant factors in this predicament. The population is expected to decline from its 2020 peak of 51.8 million to 36.2 million by 2072, as per government estimates.
Despite the reductions in the military size, South Korea has advanced its military capabilities, leveraging its alliance with the United States and a burgeoning defense industry, which has significantly increased its arms exports. The duration of military service has been shortened from 36 months when the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953.
The country’s defense budget for 2025, set at over 61 trillion won (£32.7 billion), is larger than North Korea’s entire economy. However, the defense ministry acknowledges that the military still falls short by 50,000 troops to maintain adequate defense readiness, with a particular deficit of 21,000 in the ranks of non-commissioned officers.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/10/south-korea-military-shrinks-by-20-per-cent-as-low-birthrate-hits-recruitment
