As the number of newborns continues to decline, it has been reported that one in five basic local governments in the country has an annual number of births that does not exceed 100. Amid the accelerating population concentration in the metropolitan area, the concern about local extinction is growing due to the decrease in newborns.
According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) on the 3rd, a total of 52 out of 264 basic local governments (cities, counties, districts) under 17 metropolitan cities and provinces had a birth count of 100 or less last year.
By metropolitan local government, there were no regions with a birth count of 100 or below in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, and Jeju. In contrast, Busan, Daegu, and Incheon each reported one area with a birth count of 100 or below.
In regions outside the metropolitan area, many basic local governments reported a birth count of 100 or less. This included 8 in Gangwon, 5 in Chungbuk, 4 in Chungnam, 6 in Jeonbuk, 8 in Jeonnam, 9 in Gyeongbuk, and 9 in Gyeongnam.
In particular, in Gyeongbuk, Yeongyang County and Ulleung County recorded fewer than 50 newborns, with data from the Korean Statistical Information Service showing '0 births.'
The trend of population decline in rural areas is becoming increasingly severe. Five years ago, in 2019, there were only 27 basic local governments with a birth count of 100 or below (0 to 149), but last year, that number nearly doubled.
The phenomenon of 'natural population decline,' where the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, has become more pronounced in rural areas. Last year, the region with the most natural population decline was Gyeongsangbuk-do, where the population decreased by 14,900. The birth count was 10,300, while the number of deaths reached 25,300.
Gyeongsangnam-do also saw a significant decline of 13,800 people, making it the second-largest natural decline. There were 13,100 births and 26,800 deaths. Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Chungnam, and Gangwon also experienced significant population decreases.
This 'regional population disparity' is further accelerating the concentration in the metropolitan area and the extinction of local populations. According to the domestic population movement statistics from the Korean Statistical Information Service, Gyeonggi Province had the highest net inflow of residents last year with a total of 64,000 people. Incheon also saw a net inflow of 26,000, making it the second highest. In contrast, most local governments in Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk experienced net outflow of population.
Local governments are implementing various marriage and childbirth support policies to attract young residents and increase the number of births, but the birth rate has not shown a significant rebound.
As the 'second baby boom (echo boom) generation' enters their 30s, the number of births increased slightly last year, but the gap between regions remains stark. The government is promoting policies such as the introduction of a 'multiple address system' to support areas experiencing population decline; however, implementation is facing challenges due to insufficient legal and institutional foundations.