Ranked First in Economic Power Index,
Second in Resident Vitality Index
Amid the crisis of local extinction due to population decline, Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province has been analyzed as the most sustainable among basic local governments nationwide.
According to Hwaseong City and the Korea Rural Economic Institute on the 10th, in the recently announced '2024 Regional Development Index (RDI)' by the institute, Hwaseong City's regional development index scored 60.8, ranking first among 159 local governments. This is the second consecutive year it has ranked first since 2022.
A panoramic view of Dongtan New Town in Hwaseong. Hwaseong City, showing rapid growth based on more than 27,000 companies, has the highest regional development index in the country. Provided by Hwaseong City
The Regional Development Index is a comprehensive evaluation system of a region's development level and potential. It is a study conducted as part of responding to regional extinction to address rapid population decline and regional imbalance. The living areas are divided into ▲Living space (living services) ▲Workplace (regional economic power) ▲Rest space (leisure space) ▲Community space (resident vitality), and the development level of the region is calculated in each area to gauge the region's potential. It was first announced in 2009 and has been calculated biennially since 2012.
In this survey, Hwaseong City ranked first in the regional economic power index overall. The resident vitality index also ranked second, following Gwacheon City. Accordingly, the comprehensive index, which adds weights to individual indices, also recorded first place. Hwaseong City was the only local government with a comprehensive index exceeding 60. Following were Gwacheon, Seongnam, Hanam, Suwon, Yongin, Pyeongtaek, Siheung, and Gimpo cities ranked 2nd to 9th, and among the top 10, Cheongju City in Chungbuk was the only local government outside the metropolitan area included.
The high regional development index of Hwaseong City is analyzed to be influenced by the industrial base, income level, local government fiscal independence, and population growth based on about 27,000 companies. In addition, multifaceted policies such as infrastructure expansion, welfare, and education environment improvement have borne fruit, resulting in a high overall quality of life evaluation.
However, compared to the regional economic power and resident vitality indices, the living services index was relatively low at 22nd place. The leisure space index also did not make it into the top 50.
Jung Myung-geun, mayor of Hwaseong City, said, "Hwaseong City ranking first in the Regional Development Index is a valuable achievement made together with the citizens," adding, "We will continue to strive to achieve balanced growth in various fields such as industry and economy, education and welfare, culture and environment, and develop into a city where anyone wants to live and stay."
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