After COVID-19 was declared over, Koreans who had traveled abroad returned, leading to a net influx of domestic arrivals last year. This marks a shift from net outflows recorded from 2021 to 2023, returning to a net inflow for the first time in four years.
According to the '2024 international population movement statistics' released by the Statistics Korea on the 10th, the number of international movers last year was 1,329,000, an increase of 54,000 (4.2%) from the previous year. International movers are those who moved to or from Korea and stayed for more than 90 days.
The number of arrivals last year was 727,000, an increase of 29,000 (4.1%) from the previous year, while departures also increased by 25,000 (4.3%) to 602,000.
The international net movement, calculated by subtracting the number of departures from arrivals, recorded a net influx of 125,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous year.
Domestic arrivals totaled 276,000, an increase of 58,000 (26.5%) from the previous year. This represents the second-largest increase on record. The Statistics Korea noted, "This is interpreted as the effect of Koreans who had traveled abroad during COVID-19 returning," adding that domestic arrivals had recorded net outflows for three consecutive years before switching to a net influx last year.
By age group, the largest number of arrivals was in their 20s with 80,000, followed by those in their 30s with 49,000, 40s with 44,000, and 50s with 34,000. All age groups saw increases compared to the previous year. The median age of arrivals was 33.8 years.
Domestic departures were recorded at 249,000, decreasing by 9,000 (3.5%) from the previous year. Departures also decreased across all age groups. However, in absolute numbers, those in their 20s remained the largest group at 86,000, followed by those in their 30s with 41,000, 40s with 34,000, and those under 10 years old at 23,000. Their median age was 28.9 years.
With a decrease in foreign arrivals and an increase in departures, there was a net outflow of 63,000 compared to the previous year. The number of foreign arrivals was 451,000, a decrease of 29,000 (6.0%) from the previous year. Short-term (visa exemption, transit tourism, short visits) arrivals decreased by 28,000, overseas Koreans by 10,000, and employment by 9,000. Departures increased to 353,000, reflecting an increase of 34,000 (10.7%) during the same period.
By nationality, the largest number of arrivals was from China (112,000), followed by Vietnam (88,000) and the United States (23,000). The largest number of departures was also from China (103,000), followed by Vietnam (55,000) and Thailand (35,000).
The purpose of stay for foreign arrivals was mainly employment (36.4%), studying or general training (21.9%), short-term (16.1%), and permanent or marriage immigration (13.1%). The number of employment-related arrivals was 164,000, a decrease of 9,000 (5.1%) from the previous year. Regarding the decrease in foreign employment, the Statistics Korea noted, "It seems to be influenced by the situation in the sending countries and domestic circumstances, as well as the market."
The number of students and general training arrivals was 99,000, an increase of 16,000 (19.2%) from the previous year, while the number of permanent and marriage immigration arrivals was 59,000, an increase of 1,000 (1.8%) during the same period.