The Number of Youth Increased by 25,000... What Is Happening in Yeosu, the City of the Night Sea?

Local Governments Raising Youth Age Limit to Address Aging Population
Yeosu Expands Youth Age Range to 18-45, Increasing Youth Population by 25,000
Wanju Also Adjusts to 18-45... Expansion to Other Cities Like Gyeonggi and Busan

Yeosu Night View

Recently, the youth population in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, increased by approximately 25,300, from about 61,300 (22.5% of the total population) to about 86,600 (31.8%). The youth population in Wanju County, Jeollabuk-do, also grew by 7,961, from 21,265 (21.7% of the total population) to 29,226 (29.8% of the total population).

What has happened in these regions experiencing population decline due to low birth rates and aging? Unfortunately, it is not that more young people have moved in, but rather that the age criteria for youth have been raised. Yeosu City recently amended its Youth Basic Ordinance to expand the youth age range to 18?45 years. Following this ordinance, the upper age limit for youth eligible for Yeosu City's youth support policies increased from 39 to 45 years. Wanju County also raised the youth age range from 18?39 to 18?45 on the 16th.

This partial amendment of the Youth Basic Ordinance reflects the trend among other local governments to raise the youth age in response to low birth rates and aging, aiming to expand the beneficiaries of youth support. Wanju County is expanding youth support by offering free rental of interview suits for job-seeking youth, providing assistance with real estate brokerage fees and moving expenses, activating youth hub spaces, and operating a youth policy council (Youth Policy Leaders Group).

Local governments are raising the youth age to respond to aging. Being recognized as youth makes one eligible for various youth support policies related to jobs, welfare, and housing implemented by local governments. The Youth Basic Act defines youth as aged 18?34 but allows local governments to apply different age ranges. Gangwon Province amended the ‘Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Youth Basic Ordinance’ to raise the youth age from 18?39 to 45. Busan City is also expanding the current ‘18?34 years or younger’ to ‘18?39 years or younger.’ Gyeonggi Province expanded the range from ‘19?34 years’ to ‘19?39 years.’