Overview
- Official data show 26,916 babies were born in January 2026, the highest January total since 2019.
- Deaths reached 32,454 that month, leaving a natural decrease of 5,539, the narrowest since January 2022.
- Marriages rose 12.4% to 22,640 for a 22nd straight monthly gain, which officials say is feeding more births.
- Births have increased for 19 straight months since July 2024, and a budget office forecast sees marriage-driven gains likely through 2030.
- The monthly fertility rate hit 0.99 in January but remains far below the 2.1 replacement level, and analysts warn rapid aging could deepen labor gaps, with one report projecting an 8.2 million worker shortfall by 2033.