Nonggyeongwon Announces Goheung-gun Regional Reproduction Index at 2.43, Ranking 4th Nationwide
During the 7th Civilian Administration, 3,251 Returnees and New Residents Influx, Elevating Population Growth Potential to 4th Nationwide
[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Goheung-gun in Jeollanam-do has risen to fourth place nationwide in population growth potential, shedding its stigma as a region at risk of population extinction.
According to Goheung-gun on the 29th, the Regional Development Index evaluation for 2020, announced by the Korea Rural Economic Institute on the 23rd, showed that the regional reproduction index, which indicates population growth potential, ranked fourth highest nationwide.
The regional reproduction index is an indicator that measures the potential for population increase in an area, calculated as the ratio of the population capable of childbirth to the birth rate of two or more children. An index value of 1 or higher means that the population is being reproduced in the region, and Goheung-gun recorded a value of 2.43.
In particular, this index reflects the distribution of multi-child families within the region, providing advantages in understanding not only future population trends but also the overall childbirth and childcare environment.
Goheung-gun has a population of 64,000, ranking third among county-level areas in Jeollanam-do after Muan-gun and Haenam-gun. Its total fertility rate, the sum of births per woman of childbearing age over her lifetime, is 1.44, higher than the national average of 0.92 and the Jeollanam-do average of 1.23.
Additionally, during the 7th local government term, the returning and relocating population reached 3,251, equivalent to the population of a single myeon (township), making it a preferred destination for urban residents seeking to return to farming and rural living.
The county cited the reasons for the increased population growth potential as the nation’s first local government-operated ‘Happy School for Returning to Farming and Rural Living’ and the pioneering policy of establishing a ‘100 Billion Won My Love Goheung Fund’ to promote the influx of young people from metropolitan areas and minimize the outflow of local youth.
As a result of these efforts, in June, Goheung-gun ranked first nationwide in the measurement of returning farmers announced jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Statistics Korea.
In December, it also received the Grand Prize in the Returning to Farming and Rural Living category at the Management Brand Awards ceremony hosted by a central media outlet and supported by eight central government ministries.
A county official said, “The recently announced regional reproduction index proves that the population is being reproduced in the Goheung area,” adding, “We will continue to expand infrastructure for childcare and parenting to make this a good place to have and raise children.”
Meanwhile, Goheung-gun established the Population Policy Division for the first time among local governments nationwide during the 7th local government term and formulated a five-year population policy plan containing 50 tasks under three major strategies: Youth Return, Child Happiness, and Returning and Relocating, making every effort to achieve zero population decline.
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