SEOUL, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Number of newborn babies in South Korea fell for 18 straight months through May, fueling worry about the weakening growth potential of the economy, statistics data showed Wednesday.

About 30,300 babies were born in May, down 11.9 percent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea.

It was the lowest figure for any May since the statistical agency began compiling the data in 2000, keeping a falling trend for the 18th consecutive month.

Since December last year, the number of newborns posted a double-digit decline for six months in a row.

For the first five months of this year, childbirths amounted to 159,600, down 12.4 percent year on year.

The low birthrate has been a headache for the South Korean economy as it reduces the workforce amid the fast-aging population. The low birthrate and the population aging would drag down the economy's growth potential.

The number of marriages stood at 26,900 in May, up 5.5 percent from a year ago. It marked the first increase since August last year.

The number of divorce rose 1.1 percent over the year to 9,300 in May. During the January-May period, the divorce grew 2.1 percent to 43,700.

The number of deaths increased 3 percent to 23,800 in May compared with a year ago.