Pyeongtaek's total fertility rate reached 1.02, continuing an upward trend for the second consecutive year.
According to Pyeongtaek City's analysis of provisional 2025 total fertility rate data released by the National Data Agency on the 26th, Pyeongtaek rose from 0.996 in 2024 to 1.02 in 2025, surpassing the 1.0 threshold again. This marks the second consecutive year of increase since 2023, when the rate stood at 0.92.
The total fertility rate indicates the average number of children a woman of childbearing age (15-49) is expected to have in her lifetime. It is considered a key measure for assessing a region's population structure and future population size.
The figure significantly exceeds both the national average of 0.80 and Gyeonggi Province average of 0.84. Pyeongtaek ranked third in Gyeonggi Province, behind Hwaseong (1.09) and Yeoncheon County (1.06). Among municipalities with populations of 500,000 or more, the city ranked third after Seoul's Gangseo District and Hwaseong, demonstrating a high fertility rate even among major metropolitan local governments.
Pyeongtaek's rising fertility rate is attributed to a combination of industrial growth and enhanced urban competitiveness. The city has seen steady increases in quality jobs through corporate investment in manufacturing sectors including semiconductors and industrial complex expansions. Settlement conditions have also improved rapidly with large-scale urban developments such as Godeok International New Town and Brain City.
These industrial and residential environments have led to increased youth population inflows and high marriage rates. Over the past five years (2020-2025), Pyeongtaek's youth population (ages 19-34) increased by 14,271 people, a 12.3% growth rate. This compares to a 6% decline nationally and a 4.5% decline in Gyeonggi Province during the same period.
Pyeongtaek's crude marriage rate has also remained above 5.0 annually, the only municipality in Gyeonggi Province to maintain this level. The crude marriage rate measures the number of marriages per 1,000 people, indicating a stable marriage foundation.
"Recording fertility rates that exceed both national and Gyeonggi Province averages every year is highly significant," said Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-sun. "Pyeongtaek, where young people gather, marriages continue, and new lives are born, is establishing itself as a 'city where families are born.'"