The population that settled in rural and fishing villages after leaving the city increased last year for the first time in three years. In contrast, the population moving for agricultural and fishing purposes has decreased for three consecutive years. The number of farming households fell to around 8,000, recording the lowest level since relevant statistics began to be compiled.
According to the '2024 statistics on returning farmers and villagers' announced on the 24th by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the National Statistical Office, the number of returning farming and fishing households in 2023 was 327,456, an increase of 3.1% compared to the previous year, with the number of individuals rising to 431,777, a 5.0% increase.
Among these, the number of returning households was 318,658, and the number of returnees was 422,789, which represented increases of 4.0% and 5.7%, respectively, reversing a downward trend after three years since 2021. The average age of heads of returning households was 45.4 years, with the highest proportions in their 30s (23.4%) and 20s (20.2%). The growth rate was highest among those in their 30s, at 8.4%.
Of the returning households, 76.9% were single-person households. The areas with the highest number of returnees were Hwaseong, Gyeonggi (27,116 people), Asan, South Chungcheong (19,085 people), Namyangju, Gyeonggi (15,314 people), Cheongju, North Chungcheong (14,101 people), and Pohang, North Gyeongsang (12,666 people). Returnees from the metropolitan area accounted for 42.7% of the total. The reasons they cited for returning included occupation (32.0%), dwellings (26.6%), and family (24.2%).
In contrast, the number of farming households was 8,243, and the number of farmers was 8,403, representing decreases of 20.0% and 20.3%, respectively, reaching an all-time low. The number of farming households had exceeded 10,000 until 2022, but last year it fell below 10,000.
The average age of heads of farming households was 55.6 years, with those in their 60s accounting for 37.9%. Those aged 50 and above, who had been leading the trend of returning to farming, made up 75.1% of the total, a decrease of 2.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. In contrast, the proportion of those under 30 reached a record high, at 13.1%. Among the returning farmers, 67.9% were full-time farmers, while 32.1% were part-time farmers.
The areas with a high influx of returning farmers included Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang (140 people), Sangju, North Gyeongsang (138 people), Haenam, South Jeolla (123 people), Goheung, South Jeolla (120 people), and Uiseong, North Gyeongsang (112 people), with returnees from the metropolitan area making up 42.2% of the total. Seventy-eight point seven percent of farming households were single-person households.
The population of returning fishers also declined. In 2023, there were 555 fishing households and 585 fishers, indicating decreases of 22.5% and 22.0%, respectively, compared to the previous year. The average age was 53 years, with those in their 50s accounting for 34.2%. By region, the highest proportions were in South Jeolla (35.0%), South Chungcheong (27.4%), and South Gyeongsang (9.7%). Seventy-nine point one percent of fishing households were single-person households, and full-time fishers made up 66.5%.
Meanwhile, among those who returned to farming and rural living over the past five years, 3.6% and 8.5%, respectively, moved back to the city. The ratio of returnees who started farming was only 0.5%.
An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs noted, "The decline in population and the increase in elderly employment are the background of the slowdown in returning to farming and rural living, but due to the retirement of the second baby boomer generation and the expansion of demand for rural residence, a certain level of flow will continue." They stated, "We will expand the inflow base through a comprehensive platform for returning to farming and creating rural housing for young people."