Shinan County, the Only Area in Jeonnam with 'Population Growth for Two Consecutive Years' Among Regions with Declining Population

136 More Residents Last Year, 179 More in 2023
Factors Include Sunlight Pension, Child Allowance, and Youth Fishing Boat Rental Project

Shinan-gun, Jeonnam (Governor Park Wooriang) is drawing attention for recording population growth for two consecutive years, despite the nationwide trend of population decline, through various policies being promoted under the slogan "The Road Less Traveled."

According to the county on the 14th, as of December 2024, the national population stood at 51,217,221, a decrease of 108,108 compared to the previous year. However, Shinan-gun's population reached 38,173, an increase of 136 from the previous year. Notably, in 2023, the population also increased by 179.

Exterior view of Shinan County Office

It is remarkable that Shinan-gun is the only region among Jeonnam's population-declining areas to see population growth for two consecutive years. Among the 89 local governments designated as population-declining areas, only five?Shinan-gun in Jeonnam, Yesan-gun in Chungnam, Gapyeong-gun in Gyeonggi, Ulleung-gun in Gyeongbuk, and Sunchang-gun in Jeonbuk?have recorded population growth for two consecutive years.

The factors behind Shinan-gun's population growth include economic reasons such as "sunlight pension" and "sunlight child allowance," which increase residents' income through natural gifts like sunlight, as well as the youth fishing boat rental project and the ornamental tree cooperative. There are also cultural factors, such as the "One Island, One Museum" and "One Island, One Garden" projects, which provide attractions. In addition, the county supports various customized projects for all generations, such as basic birth allowances, support for operating youth rental training farms, and elderly care programs, enabling children, youth, and seniors to live comfortably and happily in Shinan-gun.

Governor Park Wooriang stated, "We will do our best to ensure that our current and future policies, such as the upcoming Wind Pension, improve the quality of life for our residents and continue to promote population growth."