South Korea’s Military Shrinks 20% as Male Population Declines
South Korea’s military has shrunk by 20% in six years as the male population drops, and it’s a significant shift with far-reaching implications. The defense forces have been steadily declining since the early 2000s, and this trend has been accelerating in recent years. The primary driver is the shrinking pool of young men eligible for conscription, a consequence of the country’s plummeting birth rate.
Between 2019 and 2025, the population of 20-year-old males, the prime age for military service, has taken a dramatic dip. Government data reveals a staggering 30% decline in this age group. This stark demographic reality is forcing the military to adapt, especially as the mandatory service period has been reduced to 18 months.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood