South Korea has grappled with an unprecedented decline in birth rate over the past nine years.

However the latest figures show a slight rise in the number of babies born. Although the number remains low, the news is being welcomed with cautious optimism.

The increase follows years of pro-parent policies and heavy investment by the government and businesses.

In the first of our three-part series looking at South Korea’s low birth rate and population decline, we look into the efforts it took to achieve this turnaround, and find out how the number got so low in the first place.

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Presented and produced by David Cann

(Image: A mum and child in South Korea. Credit: Getty Images)