Which country writes 9 months age when a baby is born?

Why Do Koreans Say Newborns Are Already 1 Year Old?

If you’ve ever celebrated a baby’s arrival in Korea, you might have been surprised to hear the newborn referred to as “1 year old.” It’s not a mistake—it’s part of the traditional Korean age system, where life begins at 1, not 0.

Here’s how it works: from the moment a baby is born, they’re considered 1 year old. The idea stems from the belief that the nine months of pregnancy count toward a person’s age—after all, the baby has already been growing and developing inside the womb. On top of that, everyone in Korea technically gets a year older not on their birthday, but on January 1st. So, a baby born in December could be considered 2 years old by the following January—just weeks after birth.

This system has long been part of Korean culture, affecting everything from social interactions to legal matters. However, in recent years, there’s been a shift. Due to confusion—especially in international contexts—South Korea has started moving toward the international age standard. In 2023, the government officially adopted the global method for official documents, but the traditional way still lingers in everyday conversation.

Still, you’ll hear Koreans ask, “How old are you?” using their system, and parents proudly announcing their child is “1” at birth. It’s a charming, if slightly confusing, cultural quirk that reflects how deeply tradition shapes identity. So next time you’re in Korea, don’t be surprised if a newborn is already celebrating their second age birthday—thanks to nine months in the womb and a New Year’s jump forward.