On January 2, the first workday of the new year, citizens pass through Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s population distribution continues to tilt heavily toward the Seoul metropolitan area, with the gap between urban and rural populations reaching an all-time high in 2024, according to government data released on January 3, 2025.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s population statistics show that the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province, grew to 26.05 million residents last year, an increase of 33,258 people (0.13%).
Meanwhile, non-metropolitan regions lost 87,825 residents (0.56%), bringing their total population to 25.17 million.
The population gap between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas has widened dramatically over the past six years, growing from 1737 people in 2019 to a record 877,825 in 2024.
Population movement data revealed that 418,851 people moved from non-metropolitan areas to the capital region last year, exceeding the 373,800 who migrated in the opposite direction.
The majority of those relocating to the metropolitan area were younger people, including those in their 20s, teens, and early 30s, while older age groups dominated migration out of the metropolitan area.
Birth rates also reflect this growing divide. The capital region saw a rebound in births last year, with increases in Gyeonggi Province (2,034), Seoul (1,934), and Incheon (1,577). Conversely, five non-metropolitan regions, including Gangwon, Gwangju, and Jeju, experienced declines.
Among cities and provinces, Gyeonggi (64,318), Incheon (25,689), and South Chungcheong (14,714) recorded the highest net population inflows. Conversely, Seoul saw a net outflow of 60,396 people, mostly relocating within the metropolitan area to Gyeonggi and Incheon.
Only eight of South Korea’s 89 designated “population-decline regions” saw growth last year, including Yesan in South Chungcheong Province and Ganghwa in Incheon.
Experts warn that regional disparities are deepening, driven by urban concentration and inadequate regional development policies. Yuk Dong-il, a researcher at the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration, stressed the need for a national strategy to balance development. “To address this imbalance, we must invest in local infrastructure, including jobs, education, and housing,” Yuk said.
He also criticized the stagnation of previous initiatives, such as relocating the Korea Development Bank to Busan, and called for urgent measures, including municipal mergers and a renewed focus on balanced national development. “This is no longer a local issue but a national crisis,” he said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
