"노인 인구, 내년 천만 명 넘는다" 수치로 보는 '초고령화'
How Fast is South Korea Aging?
Current Demographics and Projections
- By next year, it is projected that 1 in 5 people in South Korea will be aged 65 or older, with the elderly population expected to exceed 10 million.
- The Statistics Korea report forecasts that the proportion of those aged 65 and above will reach approximately 19.4% of the total population.
- This marks a significant increase from last year's milestone when the elderly population first surpassed 9 million.
Historical Context and Trends
- The percentage of individuals aged 65 and older has steadily increased from just 12% in December 2013, indicating a consistent trend towards an aging society.
- According to the United Nations classification, South Korea transitioned from an aging society to an aged society when it surpassed a 14% elderly population in 2018.
- It is anticipated that by 2025, over 20% of South Korea's population will be aged 65 or older, marking it as a super-aged society.
Regional Aging Dynamics
- All regions in South Korea have seen increases in their elderly populations compared to the previous year; six regions have already entered super-aged status.
- Regions such as Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, Gangwon, Busan, and Chungnam are highlighted for their rapid demographic shifts towards aging.
Economic Implications
- The rising number of elderly individuals poses challenges for national fiscal health due to a decreasing ratio of working-age individuals supporting them financially.