South Korea is facing a growing shortage of military personnel, driven by a sharp decline in young men eligible for service. The defence ministry warns the trend could cause operational challenges if it continues.
The number of active-duty soldiers has been falling for years. In the early 2000s, South Korea had around 690,000 troops. By 2019, that number had dropped to about 563,000. The decline has accelerated, mainly due to a shrinking pool of 20-year-old males, the age when most enlist.
Government data shows the number of 20-year-old men fell by 30% between 2019 and 2025, dropping to about 230,000. This is linked to the country’s low birth rate, which reached a record low of 0.75 in 2024.
The military has shortened service time to 18 months, down from 36 months in 1953 after the Korean War. Officials say this is possible due to stronger defence capabilities, advanced local arms production, and the alliance with the United States.
Despite a 2025 defence budget exceeding 61 trillion won ($43.9 billion), South Korea is still 50,000 troops short of the required level for readiness. Around 21,000 of this shortage is in the non-commissioned officer ranks.
The situation is stark when compared to North Korea, which is believed to have around 1.2 million active-duty personnel as of 2022.
Experts say the problem is part of a wider demographic crisis. South Korea has one of the fastest ageing populations in the world. Its population, which peaked at 51.8 million in 2020, could fall to 36.2 million by 2072.
Defence officials warn that unless birth rates rise or recruitment policies change, the manpower gap will continue to widen, putting additional pressure on national security.
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