The number of North Korean defectors entering the country has fallen to 882 this year, a far cry from last year's 1,511.

The Unification Ministry on Thursday said in a report that an average of 103 North Koreans a month have defected to South Korea this year.

Last year's higher figure was mainly due to mass defections via a third country in Southeast Asia, but China's tightened borders could also explain this year's decrease.

The report also said defectors tend to remain hiding longer abroad before entering South Korea and noted the increase in women escapees.