Yeonggwang County Accelerates Efforts to Overcome Regional Disappearance

This Year’s Population Reaches 52,272... Up by 602 from Last Year
Continuous Population Growth... 26.5 Billion KRW Allocated for Customized Support

View of Yeonggwang County Office.

Yeonggwang County in Jeollanam-do announced on the 7th that it will expand customized support policies for young people and future generations to overcome the crisis of regional extinction.

As of the end of January 2025, the population of Yeonggwang County is 52,272, an increase of 602 compared to the same period last year. Although the natural population decrease continued with 380 births and 737 deaths last year, the net influx of people due to migration was 702. Including the number of births, the total influx reached 1,082.

In particular, the number of marriages increased by 71 compared to 2023, and the population of young people (aged 18 to 45) also grew by 113, signaling a positive trend in population growth.

To maintain this upward trend, the county is investing a total of 26.5 billion KRW in 42 projects this year to strengthen support for marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing, and is implementing various population policies to improve the stability of settlement for young people and enhance childcare and educational environments.

First, to address the low birth rate, support for child-rearing expenses has been strengthened. The county provides 5 million KRW for the first child, 12 million KRW for the second child, and up to 35 million KRW for the third child and beyond in newborn care subsidies. Additionally, 500,000 KRW is provided for postpartum care expenses and 300,000 KRW for purchasing birth celebration gifts.

Starting this year, a basic birth allowance of 200,000 KRW per month will be provided to children born in 2024 and thereafter until they turn 18. Pregnant women receive a transportation card worth 300,000 KRW, and fathers are eligible for a parental leave incentive of 500,000 KRW per month for up to six months. The county is also working to establish a public postpartum care center, expand support for infertility treatments, and enhance child care services, creating an environment that is favorable for raising children.

Last year, the number of marriages increased by 71 compared to 2023, indicating a gradual recovery in marriage rates after COVID-19. In response, the county provides a marriage incentive of 5 million KRW to newlyweds to encourage marriage and help young people settle in the region. The plan is to expand housing purchase loan interest support, previously available to newlyweds and families with multiple children, to include young people as well. In addition, the county supports young people with a youth job incentive of up to 21.6 million KRW and employment activity allowances to help them find jobs and achieve financial independence.

To ensure housing stability for young people, the county is developing the youth village "Neulpum Village," and the "Youth Parenting Sharing Center," scheduled to open in the second half of this year, will serve as a community space and integrated childcare hub for young families.

The county also plans to reduce the burden on parents and improve children's educational environments by strengthening support for childcare and education. After-school care for children, youth after-school academies, and various learning support programs will be provided to address gaps in care and education.

With its designation as a pilot area for the Special Education Development Zone, the county is establishing an education foundation. To nurture local talent, it operates academic improvement programs for college entrance preparation and career experience centers, and is working to revitalize small schools by creating "Rural Study Villages" and improving the local educational environment.

County Governor Jang Seil stated, "We will create a Yeonggwang full of smiles for young people and children by implementing comprehensive population policies, not only supporting marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing, but also improving youth policies and residential conditions."