In South Korea, sales of pet strollers have outstripped those of baby strollers for the first time, reflecting a severe decline in the country's fertility rate, which fell to an unprecedented low of 0.72 in 2023. According to Gmarket, pet strollers accounted for 57% of total stroller sales in the first three quarters of 2023, a stark contrast to 43% for baby strollers. This demographic shift is exacerbated by rising living costs and declining marriage rates, with a 40% drop in marriages over the last decade. President Yoon Suk Yeol has labeled the birth rate crisis a “national emergency,” emphasizing the need for government intervention. As pet ownership rises—over 6 million households had pets in 2022—concerns about future population sustainability grow, prompting fears of an aging, childless society. Critics argue this trend reflects a broader societal issue, as some young people prioritize pet ownership over traditional family structures.