Dog strollers outsell baby strollers in South Korea amid birth rate crisis

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Sales of pet strollers reportedly surpassed those for babies in recent years in South Korea. This trend, which comes as the country faces declining birth rates, underscores a broader shift in consumer behavior, with pet-related products seeing increased demand while baby product sales dwindle.

• Pets over babies: Gmarket, South Korea’s largest online marketplace, revealed that pet strollers accounted for 57% of total stroller sales in the first three quarters of 2023, compared to 43% for baby strollers. This marks a significant increase from 2021 and 2022, where pet strollers constituted 33% and 36% of sales, respectively. The trend is further supported by data showing pet food outselling baby formula since 2021 and the number of veterinary hospitals now exceeding children's hospitals.

• National emergency: South Korea's fertility rate has plummeted to a record low of 0.72, far below the replacement level of 2.1. Meanwhile, pet ownership in the country has surged, with over 25% of households now owning pets. This demographic shift has prompted concerns about the country's future, with President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring a "demographic national emergency" in June.

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