Hwaseong, the Top City in Economic Power, Also Leads the Nation in Population Competitiveness

Ranked No. 1 in the Population Category in the Regional Competitiveness Evaluation by the Korea Institute of Public Administration
Jung Myunggeun: "Strengthening the virtuous cycle of youth settlement leading to marriage and childbirth"

There is a local government that consistently ranks first in major economic and social indicators: Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province. Hwaseong City has once again demonstrated its growth potential by being selected as the city with the highest "population competitiveness" in the nation.

Jung Myunggeun, mayor of Hwaseong (right), is receiving the Population Competitiveness No.1 plaque from Kim Choonghwan, chairman of the Korea Institute of Public Administration, at the "30 Years of Elected Local Government, Regional Competitiveness Analysis Symposium" on the 16th. Provided by Hwaseong City

On July 17, Hwaseong City announced that it had been named the No. 1 institution for "population competitiveness" in the "30 Years of Elected Local Government, Regional Competitiveness Evaluation," organized by the Korea Institute of Public Administration.

This regional competitiveness evaluation was based on the Korea Local Autonomy Competitiveness Index (KLSI) data, and analyzed changes in regional competitiveness over 30 years of elected local government across 53 indicators in five areas: population, finance, local economy, health and culture, and environmental safety.

Hwaseong City was selected as the top institution in the population category, receiving high marks in various indicators such as ranking first in population growth rate over the past five years, having an average age of 39.6 years, and having the highest number of children in the country.

According to recent data, Hwaseong City recorded a total fertility rate of 1.01 in 2024, supported by abundant job opportunities and a steady influx of young people. The number of births reached 7,200, making it the highest among all basic local governments nationwide.

The city is also strengthening a variety of marriage and childbirth policies. Key examples include: the "Hwaseong Exploration" event for single working men and women; the "Yeonjigonji" marriage promotion matching savings account; expansion of after-school care services at 20 elementary schools; and the establishment of 26 additional community childcare centers.

Jung Myunggeun, mayor of Hwaseong, said, "This certification reaffirms the foundation for the city's sustainable growth," and added, "We will continue to strengthen our population competitiveness by creating a virtuous cycle in which young people settle in the city and naturally progress to marriage and childbirth."