Study says South Korea has too many twins, warn of health risks

Sign up now: Get insights on Asias fast-moving developments

South Korea’s rate of higher-order multiple births reached 0.67 per 1,000 births, the study found.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH

SEOUL – As the number of twin births and higher-order multiple pregnancies rises in South Korea, a study released on Dec 18 called for state measures to protect the health of both mothers and infants, including policies aimed at curbing the growing share of multifetal pregnancies.

A recent report by the South Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs found that South Korea’s multiple-birth rate stood at 26.9 per 1,000 births in 2023, second only to Greece’s 29.5, according to the Human Multiple Births Database.

The figure far exceeds the HMBD average of 15.5, the report, titled “Korea’s Multiple Birth Policy and Its Implications,” said.

South Korea’s rate of higher-order multiple births – involving three or more infants – reached 0.67 per 1,000 births, the highest among countries in the database and roughly three times the international average, the study found.

While multiple births have risen globally since the 1980s, the report attributed South Korea’s

sharper increase largely to delayed childbirth

The average age at childbirth rose from 32.2 in 2015 to 33.7 in 2024, while the average age of women delivering multiple babies increased from 33.6 to 35.3 over the same period.

The report noted that multifetal pregnancies are categorised as high-risk for both mothers and babies, with increased risks of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes compared to singleton pregnancies, and a higher risk of low birth weight for the baby.

South Korea has rolled out multiple policies

to address the record-low total