With one in five South Koreans now aged 65 and above, the nation faces demographic challenges and opportunities amid a rapidly aging population.
Seoul [South Korea], December 25: South Korea has officially joined the ranks of a ‘super-aged society,’ with individuals aged 65 and older now making up over 20% of its population, according to data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Tuesday, reported CNN.
Out of South Korea’s total population of 51 million, approximately 10.24 million people are now aged 65 or above. The data also revealed that 22% of women and 18% of men fall into this senior age bracket.
Regional Disparities in Aging Population
The aging trend varies across regions, with South Jeolla Province recording the highest proportion at 27.18%, while the central city of Sejong reported the lowest at 11.57%. In the capital city of Seoul, seniors make up 19.41% of the population, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Rising Aging Population Over the Years
In 2008, South Korea’s senior population accounted for 10% of its total population, rising to 15% in 2019 and reaching 19.05% earlier this year before surpassing the 20% threshold.
Global Context and Projections
According to United Nations classifications:
- Aging Society: Over 7% aged 65 and above
- Aged Society: Over 14% aged 65 and above
- Super-Aged Society: Over 20% aged 65 and above
Globally, the percentage of individuals aged 65 and above is expected to rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% by 2050. By then, seniors will outnumber children under age five and nearly match the number of children under age 12.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be aged 60 years or older, and by 2050, this number will double to 2.1 billion. Additionally, the population of those aged 80 and above is expected to triple to 426 million by the same year.
As South Korea navigates the challenges of an aging society, including increased healthcare costs and workforce shortages, the focus will likely shift to innovative social policies and robust senior welfare systems to ensure sustainable growth and quality of life for its aging population.
