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進入中英對照讀新聞》South Korea records world’s lowest fertility rate again 南韓再創世界最低生育率
去年的南韓不僅史上首度進入「人口負成長」，原本就已是全球最低的國家總生育率（TFR）更再度打破紀錄，僅剩0.84。（法新社檔案照）
◎陳成良
South Korea has again recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate with the number sinking to a new low. The rate in the country first dropped lower than one child per woman in 2018.
南韓再次創下世界最低生育率紀錄，數字又跌到新低。該國的生育率在2018年首次下降到低於每名婦女生育1個孩子的水準。
But on Wednesday, figures released by the government showed the figure had dropped to 0.81 - down from 0.84 the previous year, and a sixth consecutive decline.
但政府週三公布的數據顯示，這一數據已經從1年前的0.84降到0.81，連續第6六年下降。
In comparison, the average rate across the world’s most advanced economies is 1.6 children
相比之下，世界最發達經濟體的平均生育率為（每名女性生育）1.6個孩子。
Countries need at least two children per couple - a 2.1 rate - to keep their population at the same size, without migration.
各國每對夫妻需要生育至少2個孩子（生育率2.1）才能在沒有移民的情況下維持原有的人口規模。
A declining population can put a country under immense strain. Apart from increased pressure on public spending as demand for healthcare systems and pensions rise, a declining youth population also leads to labour shortages that impact the economy.
人口減少會使一個國家承受巨大壓力。隨著人們對醫療系統和養老金的需求增加，公共支出面臨的壓力與日俱增，青年人口減少還會導致勞動力短缺，從而對經濟產生影響。
新聞辭典
consecutive：形容詞，連續的；不中斷的。例句：It has rained for four consecutive days.（已連續下了4天雨。）
immense：形容詞，龐大的、無比的。例句：He inherited an immense fortune.（他繼承一份龐大的財產。）
