✈️ South Korean Undergrad Enrolments Down. Neonatal Deaths Highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. US AI Salaries >$190K.

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Today's Topics

✈️ Flows. South Korean undergraduate enrolment declined by 15%
⚕️ Health Skills. Sub-Saharan Africa records the highest neonatal deaths
🤖 Artificial Intelligence. US average annual AI job salary exceeded 190K

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✈️ South Korean Undergraduate Enrolment Declined by 15%

The number of undergraduate enrolments in South Korea declined by nearly 15% from 2015 to 2024. This sustained fall reflects shifting student preferences, increased competition from overseas universities, and the rapid expansion of alternative pathways such as vocational training and online education. Universities are facing growing pressure to consolidate programmes, improve graduate employability, and align courses more closely with labour market needs. Policy responses increasingly focus on restructuring higher education and strengthening industry-university linkages.

⚕️ Sub-Saharan Africa Records the Highest Neonatal Deaths

Sub-Saharan Africa records the highest number of neonatal deaths (when a baby dies within 28 days of birth), largely due to persistently high under-five and neonatal mortality rates driven by structural health system gaps. Limited access to skilled birth attendants, inadequate maternal care, high rates of preterm birth, and malnutrition all increase the risk of death in the first month of life. These challenges are compounded by poverty, fragile health infrastructure, and lower coverage of essential interventions such as antenatal care, safe deliveries, and postnatal services, reinforcing the region’s elevated mortality burden.

🤖 US Average Annual AI Job Salary Exceeded 190K

Average salaries for AI roles in the US exceed $190K because demand for advanced data and machine learning skills far outstrips supply. Firms across rely on AI specialists to build scalable models, manage complex data infrastructure, and drive productivity gains, making these roles strategically critical. The rapid adoption of AI, combined with high technical barriers to entry and intense competition for experienced talent, continues to push wages upward across senior and specialised AI positions.

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