<Anchor> This



is a friendly economic time.

Today (24th) I will be with reporter Han Ji-yeon.



You said the number of births fell further in January of this year?



<Reporter>



Yes, looking at the number of births in January, last January was the lowest. 



About 24,000 babies were born in the month of January, but more than 300 fewer than a year ago.



Compared to the same month of the previous year, not only January but also other months have been on the decline for the 74th month since December 2015.



The number of births per 1,000 people is 5.6, the lowest since statistics, and the total fertility rate has been on a downward trend since 2018, when it recorded less than one child.

Last year, the number was 0.81, the lowest among OECD member countries.



This decrease in births is largely due to fewer marriages, right?



Last year, the number of marriages decreased by nearly 10% compared to the previous year, but this year's start is not good.



Looking at the number of marriages in January of this year, it is 9.4% less than a year ago, or more than 1,500, less than 14,800.



The number of women in their 30s who not only postponed marriage due to Corona, but also married and gave birth a lot has decreased.

Changes in the perception that marriage is a must also played a part.



<Anchor>



But the children's clothing market is getting bigger?



<Reporter>



Yes, the size of the children's clothing market last year reached KRW 1.64.8 trillion, which has increased by nearly 17% compared to the previous year.



To some extent, the overall fashion market size increased by 7.5% during the same period, which is more than double the growth rate compared to this.



It seems that the fashion industry is rapidly expanding the children's clothing business while valuing the potential of kids' fashion. Mall held various special exhibitions last month, raising sales in the fashion sector by 60% compared to the same period last year.



<Anchor>



Why is this?



<Reporter>



Children's clothing consumers are not children.

It is the parents who open the wallet.



Also, as the number of births is small, it can be pointed out that the trend of demand for children's clothing is gradually shifting to high-priced products.



Low birth age, very informant baby.

The premium kids market is growing as 'VIB' marketing is rising as a trend.



Also, there is a phenomenon called 'ten pocket', which means that ten wallets are opened centered on one child, from relatives to parents' friends.



Here, beyond the daughter fool, the son fool, the phrase 'nephew fool' is coming out.

As the marriage age was delayed, Gold Uncle and Gold Ant also grew the kids market.





Is that why they say that a lot of luxury children's clothes are also sold?



<Reporter>



A few years ago, long padding, which cost 300,000 to 400,000 won, was the parent's spine breaker, but these days, luxury products that cost more than 1 million won have emerged as a new spine breaker.



Last week, at Shinsegae Department Store, the children's version of the luxury Dior, 'Baby Dior', opened for the first time in Korea. Children's short-sleeved T-shirts cost 400,000 won, dresses cost 1.5 million won, and some overcoats cost over 2 million won. More than 30% higher than expected sales.



Lotte Department Store also opened a luxury children's clothing store in August of last year and then increased the number of stores to three.



In addition to the existing Fendi Kids, Hyundai Department Store also added two luxury children's clothing brands.



As the demand increases, the competition in the children's luxury market in department stores is getting fierce, but there are many parents who are worried that their children will fall behind the luxury fashion because they cannot easily buy expensive luxury children's clothes. It was also a topic of discussion.



In a related survey, 8 in 10 said they felt a sense of relative deprivation.