[2025 Unclaimed Deaths Report⑦] Busan and Seoul Record Highest Unclaimed Deaths Nationwide... Concentrated in Old Downtowns with Large Elderly Populations

More Than Double the 2021 Figure
179 Out of 229 Local Governments Classified as At-Risk
In Seoul, All Districts Except the "Gangnam 3 Districts" and Eunpyeong-gu Are At-Risk

The number of unclaimed deaths per 100,000 people in South Korea has been tallied at an average of 10.19. This figure is more than double the 4.15 reported in 2021. In particular, Busan and Seoul recorded the highest numbers of unclaimed deaths.

According to the unclaimed death index compiled through a comprehensive survey by The Asia Business Daily on December 24, the nationwide average unclaimed death index has risen sharply to 10.19, compared to 4.15 in 2021.

The unclaimed death index is calculated as the number of unclaimed deaths per 100,000 people. Regions with an index exceeding 10 were classified as high-risk, while those with an index greater than 5 but less than or equal to 10 were classified as at-risk. This means that the entire country now falls into the high-risk category for unclaimed deaths. The Asia Business Daily had previously calculated this index in 2021 to provide a more objective assessment of each region, rather than relying solely on the absolute number of unclaimed deaths.

The regions with the highest unclaimed death indices were concentrated in Busan and Seoul. Of the top 20 areas, 12 were in Busan (6) and Seoul (6). In Busan, Jung-gu (53.40), Dong-gu (40.99), and Yeongdo-gu (35.83) ranked as the top three nationwide, followed by Seoul Jongno-gu (34.77) and Seoul Jung-gu (32.18). Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi Province was the only area in the province to make the top 20, ranking sixth overall with an index of 28.77.

The high unclaimed death indices in these regions are directly attributed to their large elderly populations (aged 65 and older). According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's resident registration statistics as of November this year, the proportion of residents aged 65 and over in Busan Jung-gu was 34%, Dong-gu 31%, and Yeongdo-gu 34.9%, all higher than Busan’s overall average of 25.2%. Even compared to the national average of 21.1%, these figures are exceptionally high.

In Seoul, a total of 12 districts, including Jongno-gu and Jung-gu, were classified as high-risk, while 9 districts, such as Dobong-gu (9.81) and Gangdong-gu (9.29), were categorized as at-risk. Out of Seoul's 25 districts, 21 were classified as at-risk or higher. The relatively high proportion of elderly residents in Jung-gu and Jongno-gu also contributed to these results. The elderly population ratios in Jung-gu and Jongno-gu were 23% and 22.3%, respectively, both higher than Seoul's overall average of 20.4% for residents aged 65 and over.

A nationwide map showing the unclaimed death index calculated by the number of unclaimed deaths per 100,000 people based on the annual average number of unclaimed deaths in the area and the population as of May 2025. It is noticeable that the high-risk group has significantly increased in 2025 compared to 2021.

In Seoul, only four districts-Songpa-gu (4.70), Seocho-gu (4.17), Gangnam-gu (3.45), and Eunpyeong-gu (1.79)-had an unclaimed death index below 5. Songpa, Seocho, and Gangnam are collectively known as the "Gangnam 3 Districts" and are home to many high-income households, while Eunpyeong-gu, with the seventh-largest population in Seoul, recorded the lowest number of unclaimed deaths at just 41.

As in 2021, the risk of unclaimed deaths in a region was not determined solely by the number of deaths. For example, Gyeonggi Province ranked second in the number of unclaimed deaths among metropolitan governments over the past five years with 5,063 deaths, following Seoul (5,126), but its unclaimed death index was 8.47, ranking 11th out of 17 metropolitan governments. Similarly, South Gyeongsang Province had the fifth-highest number of unclaimed deaths at 1,242, but its index was 8.51, ranking 10th. Conversely, Jeju Province had only 415 unclaimed deaths, ranking 15th, but its index was 11.87, placing it fourth nationwide.

The same pattern was observed at the municipal level. Among the 229 local governments nationwide, Busan Jung-gu was the only one with an unclaimed death index exceeding 50 (53.40), yet the number of unclaimed deaths there was 99, roughly average. Meanwhile, Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province had the highest number of unclaimed deaths at 526, but its index was 8.83, a mid-range figure. The unclaimed death index, calculated as the number of unclaimed deaths relative to the population, reflects the actual risk more accurately.

Out of 229 local governments nationwide, 179 were classified as at-risk or higher, accounting for 8 out of every 10 areas. In 2021, there were 22 high-risk and 54 at-risk areas, but this year, the numbers surged to 89 high-risk and 90 at-risk areas. The more than twofold increase in unclaimed deaths over the same period also contributed to this rise.

Heo Changdeok, professor of sociology at Yeungnam University, stated, "Unclaimed deaths are the result of individuals being excluded or disconnected from social networks. There is a need for a shift in perception so that we can recognize the intrinsic value of each person's existence, moving away from a uniform, materialistic pursuit of success." He added, "Welfare organizations and institutions should also take a more active role in identifying vulnerable groups, so that those who have lost family or friend connections can form community-based social networks."