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Seoul becoming older, less populated city

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There were 1.41 million residents aged over 65 years old in Seoul, constituting 14.4 percent of the city's population in last year. / Yonhap
There were 1.41 million residents aged over 65 years old in Seoul, constituting 14.4 percent of the city's population in last year. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

Seoul used to be called "a city with 10 million citizens" comprised of many young people who came from other parts of the country.

However, the capital has failed to prevent its population from turning into an aged society.

Last year, there were 1.41 million residents aged over 65 years old in Seoul, constituting 14.4 percent of the city's population. According to the United Nations' standard, a society where 7 percent of residents are aged 65 or older is considered an aging society; and 14 percent, an aged society; and 20 percent, a super-aged society.

In 2017, the number marked 1.35 million, or 13.8 percent of the entire Seoul population.

Seoul already entered the "aging society" category in 2005 and the city government expects it to become super-aged by 2026 at the current rate.

Meanwhile, Seoul City is also witnessing a decrease in the total number of residents.

The number has been declining steadily since 2010. Over 80,000 people have moved out of the capital city in the last three years, and the local government predicts its population will fall below 10 million by later this year or early next year.

However, the number of foreign residents has sextupled from 45,000 in 1995 to nearly 284,000 last year.


Kim Jae-heun jhkim@koreatimes.co.kr


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