South Korea's military has shrunk to about 450,000 people - a decline of 20% over the last six years, according to a defense ministry report released on Sunday. Authorities say the main reason behind the decline is the country's dismal birth rate, which at 0.75 babies per woman is the world's lowest.

South Korea's military shrank by 20% in the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country with the world's lowest birthrate,

South Korea's military shrank by 20 percent in the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country with the world's lowest birthrate,

The country, which has seen a sharp drop in the number of men of enlistment age, is one of the fastest ageing societies and has the lowest fertility rate in the world.