South Korea’s population was expected to fall in almost all regions by 2052 due to the chronically low births, statistical office estimates showed Tuesday.
The country’s total figure was forecast to slide from 51.67 million in 2022 to 46.27 million in 2052 after peaking at 51.75 million in 2024, according to Statistics Korea.
ALSO READ Tuition fees: “Your students in Europe can’t write exams”, NANSE President tells Zamfara gov
All of the 17 provinces and cities were projected to record a natural population decline, or more deaths than births, by 2052.
ALSO READ Droughts, floods threaten southern Africa – WFP
However, Gyeonggi province, which surrounded the capital of Seoul, and the administrative city of Sejong was predicted to see population growth by 2052 amid an inflow of population into the province and the city.
The number of newborn babies has been on the decline since October 2022.
This is due to young couples delaying or gave up on having children owing to economic difficulties such as high housing prices and stubborn unemployment.
South Korea, an East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders with North Korea.
It’s equally known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital.
Xinhua/NAN
