Gov't basic income program for rural towns draws fire over fairness, financial concerns

The government’s plan to introduce a basic income program for rural communities is drawing controversy, as critics question the fairness of distributing equal payments to all residents while many local governments face financial strain.

2025-10-21

70s and over outnumber people in their 20s for first time amid low birth rates and aging population

As Korea’s low birth rate and aging population persist, the number of people in their 20s fell below the number of people in their 70s and older for the first time last year.

2025-10-12

Daejeon, Sejong only cities outside Seoul metro area that grew over past 8 months, gov't data says

Daejeon and Sejong were the only metropolitan governments outside the Seoul metropolitan area to record population growth over the past eight months, according to government data.

2025-09-05

Why is Korea’s birth rate, once the lowest, now inching up?

After eight consecutive years of decline, the number of expected children per woman rose to 0.75 last year from the record low of 0.72 the year before. Experts forecast the fertility rate to reach roughly 0.8 in 2025.

2025-09-05

Korea has a higher life expectancy than its OECD peers — but also the highest suicide rate

Korea has a high life expectancy, but also the highest suicide rate among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Health care spending is also rising.

2025-07-31

Foreign residents top 2 million with new visa system, more int'l students

The number of foreign residents in Korea broke 2 million last year, as more people entered the country in search of jobs, contributing to a slowdown in the rapid aging of the country's population.

2025-07-29

Population mobility rises 8.6 percent in June on base effect, increased home transactions

The number of Koreans relocating to new residences increased 8.6 percent from a year earlier in June, mainly due to a base effect and a rise in housing transactions, government data showed Wednesday.

2025-07-23

Korea's population could shrink to 7.5 million in 100 years, think tank says

If Korea’s ultralow birthrate remains unchanged, the country’s population could shrink to a mere fraction of its current size — just 15 percent — within the next 100 years, a new demographic projection warns.

2025-07-08

Gov't earmarks 88.5 trillion won for response to low birth rate, aging population in 2025

The government will spend 88.5 trillion won ($64.8 billion) this year alone to help boost the country's low fertility rate and address problems associated with its rapidly aging population, the Health Ministry said Friday.

2025-07-04

Koreans do want children — but 1 in 2 say they can’t afford them

More people around the world are giving up on having children — not because they don’t want them, but because they simply can’t afford to raise them, a new United Nations report says.

2025-06-10

korea joongAng daily