The Big Picture: Korea’s birthrate in July dropped to an all-time low, further highlighting the country’s swift transition into an aging society. By the numbers: 19,102 births were reported in July, a 6.7% decline from last year. This year has seen record-low births every month, with figures like 23,179 in January and 18,615 in June. All major regions, except North Chungcheong Province, reported a decline. In contrast, deaths surged 8.3% year-on-year in July, totaling 28,238. Why it matters: This is the 10th straight month of year-on-year decline, suggesting a persistent trend rather than a temporary dip. The imbalance between births