ASEM members in figures

Among the 25 ASEM member countries, Korea is a high-ranking player in terms of economic growth, Internet users and cellular phone users but is low-ranking in life expectancy and commodity imports.

Major statistics for 1999 ASEM countries announced by the National Statistical Office showed that Korea's economic growth rate was the highest at 10.7%, followed by Ireland's 9.8%, Luxembourg's 7.5% and China's 7.1%.

In the number of Internet users per 100 people, Korea was ranked fifth with 23.2 after Sweden's 41.4, Finland's 32.3, Singapore's 29.5 and Denmark's 28.2. Korea jumped eight steps from 13th place in 1998.

Finland is ranked first in the number of cellular phone users per 100 people with 66.1, and Korea was ranked fourth with 50 after Sweden's 57.8 and Italy's 52.8.

On the other hand, for the percentage of people more than 65 years old, Korea is ranked 17th place with 32.9.

Also, Korea's life expectancy for the period of 1995-2000 was 72.4 years and was ranked in 19th place among ASEM countries, whereas Japan was first at 80 years. Korea was ninth and 10th in commodity exports and imports, with 65% of dependency on exports, which put Korea in the middle among the ASEM countries.

Choi Young-Hae moneychoi@donga.com