The Fastest Growing City and County Nationwide is 'Pyeongtaek-si'

Regional Development Index Rises 38 Places in 10 Years to Rank 7th
Jung Jang-seon Vows to Focus on Infrastructure for Improved Quality of Life

Over the past decade, the area with the steepest rise in key regional development indicators such as economic power and resident vitality was Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province.

According to the '2024 Regional Development Index (RDI)' recently released by the Korea Rural Economic Institute, Pyeongtaek City's RDI ranked 7th among 159 cities and counties nationwide. This is a two-step rise from 9th place in the previous survey conducted in 2022.

The RDI evaluates four sectors: ▲living services ▲regional economic power ▲leisure space ▲resident vitality, representing the development level and potential of city and county areas, and is published every two years.

Pyeongtaek City's RDI ranking has risen vertically by 38 places over the past 10 years compared to 45th place in 2014. During the same period, nine cities and counties improved their rankings by more than 30 places, including three in Gyeonggi Province, one in Jeonbuk, four in Jeonnam, and one in Gyeongbuk.

Pyeongtaek ranked 4th in 'resident vitality,' measured based on the average annual population growth rate, aging rate, and birth rate, and 6th in 'regional economic power,' calculated using indicators such as employment opportunities, income levels, and local government finances. This indicates that job growth and population inflow based on major industries such as semiconductors and automobiles have driven the city's rapid growth.

On the other hand, the growth of infrastructure aimed at improving residents' quality of life was evaluated as relatively slow. In the 'living services' sector, which includes basic living, education, and health and welfare, Pyeongtaek ranked only 41st, and in the 'leisure space' sector, calculated using indicators such as green recreational facilities and cultural and sports infrastructure, it did not make the top 50.

Jung Jang-seon, mayor of Pyeongtaek City, said, "The steady development of the region over the past 10 years appears to be reflected in this Regional Development Index," adding, "We will focus on expanding various infrastructures to receive good evaluations in the leisure space sector as well."