South Korea’s Military Shrinks By 20% In Six Years As Male Population Declines

Last Updated:August 10, 2025, 17:06 IST

South Korea's military shrank by 20% in the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age.

Cadets march during a celebration to mark 76th anniversary of Korea Armed Forces Day, in Seongnam, South Korea (Credit: Reuters Photo)

South Korea’s military has shrunk by 20 per cent over the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp decline in the population of males of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country, which has the world’s lowest birthrate, Reuters said, citing a report on Sunday.

The sharp drop in the pool of eligible men for military service is also leading to a shortage of officers, the defence ministry noted in its report. If this trend persists, it could create operational challenges, the report warned.

The report was made to the ruling Democratic Party member of parliament, Choo Mi-ae, whose office released it.

South Korea’s military strength has been gradually shrinking since the early 2000s, when it had roughly 690,000 troops. The decline quickened in the late 2010s, leaving about 563,000 active-duty soldiers and officers by 2019.

North Korea is believed to have an active-duty military of about 1.2 million, according to the latest estimate by the defence ministry in 2022.

The population of 20-year-old males declined by 30% to 230,000 between 2019 and 2025, according to government data, the age when most men who pass a physical exam enlist for military service, which is now 18 months long.

The military attributes the reduction in service periods to enhanced capabilities, supported by its alliance with the United States and the growth of a defence industry that has emerged as a major arms exporter.

In 1953, following the Korean War armistice, able-bodied men served a 36-month military term.

In 2025, South Korea’s defence budget exceeds 61 trillion won ($43.9 billion), surpassing the estimated size of North Korea’s entire economy.

Still, the military is 50,000 troops short of the number of troops adequate for maintaining defence readiness, the ministry said. About 21,000 of the shortfall is in the non-commissioned officer ranks, it said.

South Korea, one of the fastest-ageing societies in the world, recorded the lowest global fertility rate in 2024 at 0.75, representing the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.

Its population, which hit a peak of 51.8 million in 2020, is expected to shrink to 36.2 million by 2072, according to a government projection.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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