Gwangju Dong-gu Ranks in Top 10 Nationwide for Population Inflow for 2 Consecutive Years

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Im Taek) has ranked among the ‘Top 10 Nationwide Population Net Inflow’ areas for two consecutive years.

In particular, although Gwangju is a net outflow area where more people move out than move in, along with Ulsan, Daejeon, and Daegu, Dong-gu is the only district among the five autonomous districts to show a net inflow increase for two consecutive years from 2019 to 2020.

According to Dong-gu on the 28th, Statistics Korea announced the ‘2020 Domestic Population Movement Results’ on the 26th.

Among 228 cities, counties, and districts nationwide, 74 areas recorded net inflow, and among them, Dong-gu ranked 7th in 2019 (net migration rate 4.6%, net migrants about 4,000) and again ranked in the top 10 in 2020 (net migration rate 4.6%, net migrants about 5,000).

This statistic is evaluated to be the result of Dong-gu’s efforts during the 7th local government term to break away from the image of a declining city and create a ‘pleasant residential environment where residents want to live’ through successful urban development and redevelopment projects.

Currently, Dong-gu’s population is recorded as 50,129 households and 102,897 people as of the end of December last year. The recovery of the ‘100,000 population’ after five years began with the move-in of residents to the Grand Central Apartments in Gyerim 8 District starting September 10 last year.

The Gyerim 8 District, with about 2,400 households, has so far had about 1,900 households and 4,700 residents complete their move-in registration.

With about ten housing redevelopment projects such as Doosan We’ve Phase 3 in Gyerim 7 District scheduled for move-in this April, and following the completed move-ins in Wolnam, Naenam, and Yongsan districts, as well as the Seongyo District urban development project scheduled for move-in in January 2023, the resident population is expected to increase by about 30,000, maintaining a future population level of approximately 130,000.

In line with this, Dong-gu is expanding and strengthening support measures in various fields to promote the resettlement of original residents and increase population inflow.

As part of the urban regeneration leading area project, three key facilities?the Pureun Village Community Center, Gung-dong Maze Center, and Chungjang 22?have opened one after another and are gaining popularity as communication spaces where residents, artists, and community activists gather.

The ‘District Public Complex Library,’ regarded as a representative facility for resident convenience projects, is being constructed in Naenam District with the goal of opening in December next year. In addition, Dong-gu is accelerating the completion of the Dong-gu Lifelong Learning Center, a living SOC that satisfies residents’ quality of life, the completion of the Early Childhood Plaza, and the expansion of district-run daycare centers.

Efforts are also being made on childbirth encouragement policies and aging policies targeting newlyweds, prospective parents, and the elderly. Support is being expanded for each life stage such as pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, and as an age-friendly city, various methods are being explored to help seniors lead active lives, including expanding dementia relief centers, communication senior centers, centenarian schools, and the distribution of AI care robots ‘Hyodori.’

Notably, the proportion of single-person households registered in Dong-gu (45.2%) exceeds the national average (30.2%), making it the highest in the country.

Following the enactment of the Single-Person Household Ordinance and a survey, Dong-gu has prepared measures in various fields including ▲building a social safety net (such as installing safety chains on front doors) ▲support for housing, health, culture, and leisure activities ▲community revitalization ▲and projects to realize a social family city.

Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu said, “In line with the status of being ‘No. 1 in happiness index in the Honam region’ and ‘Top 10 nationwide in net population inflow,’ we will prioritize resident convenience and happiness and do our best to realize a warm and happy Dong-gu full of neighborly affection.” He added, “We will continue to make every effort to become a cultural tourism city that people want to visit and live in through stable settlement of incoming population and the development and implementation of various policies for residents.”