South Korea’s military is getting smaller — and fast.
A new defense ministry report shows troop numbers have dropped to about 450,000, a sharp 20% decline in just six years.
The main culprit? The nation’s record-breaking low birth rate, now at just 0.75 babies per woman — the lowest in the world.
Why does this matter? Because South Korea is still technically at war with its heavily armed northern neighbor.
North Korea has an estimated 1.3 million active-duty troops.
An Alarming Situation?
A July study warned Seoul needs at least 500,000 soldiers to hold its ground.
It called the current numbers a “structurally difficult position to succeed in defence.”
The cuts aren’t just in manpower. The number of army divisions has fallen from 59 to 42 since 2006, with units disbanded or merged.
To compensate, South Korea is pouring money into defense — more than 60 trillion won ($43 billion) in 2025, which actually exceeds North Korea’s GDP.
Military service remains mandatory for most able-bodied men, lasting 18 months.
But it’s deeply unpopular, with critics saying it derails young men’s careers.
Some conservatives even suggest drafting women to ease the shortage.
If trends continue, experts warn South Korea’s 50 million population could be slashed in half within 60 years.
Fewer babies today could mean fewer soldiers tomorrow — and for Seoul, that’s a battle it can’t afford to lose.
