Births rise in S. Korea for 16th month in June

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The number of babies born in South Korea increased for the 16th straight month in June amid the government's efforts to boost the nation's low birthrate, a report showed Thursday.
   According to the report by Statistics Korea, the number of babies born in June came to some 36,900, up 2.5 percent or 900 from the same month a year earlier.
   The number of births has been on the rise since March last year after posting a 24-month consecutive decline, the report showed.
   The report did not specify the reason for the growth, but observers say that the ongoing economic recovery might have encouraged couples to have babies.
   During the same month, the report said that the number of deaths totaled 20,600, up 0.5 percent or 100 from a year earlier.
   A total of 27,900 couples tied the knot in June, up 1.8 percent from a year earlier, while 9,800 divorces were filed in the same month, according to the report.
   In a separate report, the agency said that the number of people changing their legal residence in July declined 4.6 percent to 575,000.
   kokobj@yna.co.kr
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