Daejeon City Sees Population Growth for First Time in 12 Years, Up by 1,572 Last Year

The Key to Population Rebound: Influx of Young People
People in Their 20s and 30s Account for 60% of New Residents
Top Reasons for Moving In: Employment and Business (36.9%), Marriage/Household Formation (24.8%), Education (16%)

Photo by Daejeon City Provided

The population of Daejeon City increased by 1,572 last year, marking a rise for the first time in 12 years. The key driver behind this rebound was the influx of young people, with those in their 20s and 30s accounting for 60% of the total, establishing Daejeon as a city increasingly favored by the younger generation.

After 12 consecutive years of population decline since 2013, the trend reversed in 2025, turning into an upward curve and realizing a V-shaped recovery in population.

According to an analysis of the resident registration population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Daejeon's population stood at 1,440,729 as of the end of December 2025. This represents an increase of 1,572 compared to the end of the previous year (1,439,157).

In terms of inter-regional migration, 80,173 people moved into Daejeon from other areas, while 77,339 moved out, resulting in a net inflow of 2,834 people.

The main driving force behind the population rebound in 2025 was, once again, the youth. As of December, those in their 20s (39.46%) and 30s (20.03%) accounted for approximately 60% (47,696 people) of all new residents.

Regarding reasons for moving in, 'employment and business' factors were the most common at 36.9%, followed by marriage/separation/household formation (24.8%), education (16%), and housing (12.5%).

Daejeon City plans to further increase its urban appeal and attract more residents in 2026 by creating quality jobs that appeal to young people, providing a stable residential environment, and implementing population policies based on a sustainable industrial foundation where education and care are organically connected.

Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "This turnaround in population growth after 12 years is more than just a numerical change; it signifies that a foundation has been laid for the next generation in Daejeon to realize their dreams." He added, "Going forward, Daejeon will undoubtedly transform into the most dynamic and rapidly growing city in Korea."