Thirty Counties are “Super Aged Societies”

It turns out that some 30 counties all over the country are quickly aging, and that Korea is entering into a “super aged society status,” in which over 20 percent of the entire population is 65 years old or higher.

It is forecasted that by 2019, the population of Koreans over the age of 65 will surpass the population of children (those under the age of 14 years), and this reversal will increase the financial burden to support the elderly.

According to the “2004 Statistics of the Aged’” reported by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday, October 1, the results of the ratio of the aged population in 247 areas all over the country showed that 30 districts were already entering the status of “super aged societies.”

By detail in city-county-district, Uiryeong-gun and Namhae-gun in Gyeongnam province were the highest, both having 24.7 percent of their population as elderly. Following these areas were Uiseong-gun (23.6 percent), Gunwi-gun (23.5 percent) in Gyeongbuk, Gokseong-gun in Jeonnam (23.3 percent), and Sancheong-gun in Gyeongnam (23.1 percent).

By city-province, Jeonnam province was found to be 14.1 percent elderly and was the only province to enter the status of an aging society. Ulsan was 4.7 percent and had the lowest ratio for an aging population.

Korea entered the status of being an aging society in 2000 with a rate of 7.2 percent, and NSO expects Korea to continue being an aging society with 14.4 percent in 2019, and will likely become a super aged society with 20.0 percent in 2026.

The time period for Korea to become a super aged society from an aging society is projected to be 26 years, which is estimated to be quicker than other countries: France (155 years), the U.S. (88 years), Germany (78 years), and Japan (36 years).

It is interpreted that the aging in Korea is rapidly progressing due to an increase in the average life span along with a concurrent decrease in birth rate.

Accordingly, a rate of 8.2 people supported one aged person, 65 years or older this year, but 4.7 people will be supporting the elderly in 2020, and 2.8 people in 2030, showing that financial burdens due to the aging will increase.

Ji-Wan Cha Yong Park cha@donga.com parky@donga.com