30 out of 31 Cities and Counties in Gyeonggi-do at Risk of Population Extinction in 44 Years

Projected Map of Population Extinction Risk Areas in Gyeonggi Province

Out of 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, 30 have been identified as high-risk areas for population extinction by 2067, a shocking result.

On the 25th, the Gyeonggi Research Institute reported in "Disappearing Localities, Finding Answers in Regional Vitality" that although the population of Gyeonggi Province is steadily increasing, the "2022 Population Trend Survey" released by Statistics Korea in February this year showed a "dead cross" phenomenon for the first time, where the number of deaths (78,990) exceeded the number of births (75,277). They forecast long-term concerns about population extinction.

The report specifically explained that according to the "Audit Report on the Response to Changes in Population Structure" published by the Board of Audit and Inspection in July 2021, 30 cities and counties in the province, except Hwaseong-si, were classified as high-risk areas for population extinction by 2067.

Currently, the population extinction risk areas in the province include six locations: Gapyeong, Yeoncheon, Yangpyeong, Yeoju, Pocheon, and Dongducheon.

High-risk areas for population extinction are places where the elderly population aged 65 and over exceeds the female population in their 20s and 30s by more than five times, and risk areas are those where it exceeds twice.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute proposed policies to respond to the extinction crisis, including ▲ nurturing young local creators ▲ policy approaches to the living population ▲ operating a regional vitality index ▲ establishing happiness officers.

Kim Seong-ha, a research fellow at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, suggested, "We should practically support the creation of unique brands by utilizing historical and cultural resources of each city and county, promote regional development while enhancing the sense of residence, resolve competitive customs among cities and counties, and prepare mutual development plans from the perspective of regional vitality."