12 points
The comparison in this case is operating on the word half, not on the subject of the sentence:
Only half want to get married, even less [than half] want kids.
11 points
It could actually go either way, based on the title:
Only half of South Koreans willing to marry; even less [than half] want kids
Or
Only half of South Koreans willing to marry; even fewer [South Koreans] want kids
I’m inclined to lean toward the second. “Even less than half” sounds a lot clunkier than “even fewer South Koreans,” so it’s not surprising other readers assumed the latter.
2 points
