South Korea faces 85% population crash by 2125
The report, released on Wednesday by the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future, showed that even under the most optimistic scenario, the population is projected to fall to 15.73 million, which is less than one-third of its present size. The median estimate puts the population in 2125 at 11.15 million.
In the worst-case scenario outlined by the institute, South Korea's population could decline to 7.53 million by 2125, a steep drop from its current 51.68 million. That number would be lower than the capital Seoul's current population of more than 9.3 million.
The institute used the internationally recognized cohort-component method to project future population changes based on fertility, mortality and migration trends. The report highlights the unusually fast rate of South Korea's demographic decline.
The decline is being driven not only by low birth rates but also by a compounding effect: as each generation becomes smaller, the number of potential parents also drops, speeding up the overall population decrease.
In 75 years, the worst-case projection shows that for every 100 people of working age (between 15 and 64) there could be 140 seniors aged 65 or older.
At present, 100 working-age people support about 30 seniors, signaling that South Korea is heading toward an 'inverted pyramid' society, where the number of elderly dependents greatly exceeds those in the workforce.
The findings also showed that younger generations now place more importance on 'money' and 'housing' than 'love' when talking about marriage. Financial pressure was the most common concern raised in discussions about having children.
The report concluded that economic factors currently play a bigger role than personal choice in decisions about marriage and parenthood.
The projections highlight the demographic pressure South Korea faces as it deals with one of the world's lowest birth rates and fastest-aging populations.
As of 2024, the country's total fertility rate has risen just 0.75, and remains far below the replacement level of 2.1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
20 hours ago
- Russia Today
South Korea removing border loudspeakers
South Korea has begun dismantling loudspeakers along the border with North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday, citing the country's Defense Ministry. The move comes weeks after both sides agreed to halt propaganda broadcasts as part of a broader effort to ease tensions on the peninsula. Removing the equipment reflects a broader diplomatic shift under South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, who has signaled an intention to reduce friction with Pyongyang. Despite signs of improvement, the two Koreas technically remain at war, as the 1953 armistice was never replaced by a formal peace treaty. 'It is a practical measure that can help ease inter-Korean tensions without affecting the military's readiness posture,' the ministry said. Large-scale loudspeaker arrays, installed by Seoul decades ago, were periodically used to blare K-pop music, news bulletins, and anti-regime messages across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. Pyongyang often responded with its own broadcasts or by sending balloons filled with propaganda leaflets and bags of trash over the border, drawing protests from the South. Relations between the two countries sharply deteriorated under the previous South Korean administration. In July 2024, Seoul resumed the loudspeaker campaign after a six-year pause, in response to Pyongyang's launch of trash-filled balloons into the South. The tensions were sparked in part by North Korean anger over leaflets sent by defectors in the South. At the same time, Seoul continued to bolster military preparedness by conducting joint drills with the US. Pyongyang condemned the exercises as rehearsals for invasion and responded with a series of missile tests. Despite recent signs of renewed diplomacy, the South still maintains a defensive posture toward the North. Last week, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, reiterated their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea, suggesting that dialogue remains a priority for regional stability.
Russia Today
22-07-2025
- Russia Today
Putin names desired minimum fertility rate for Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the country's total fertility rate (TFR) must reach replacement level within the next five years to stem declining birth rates. A replacement-level fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is enough to maintain a stable population. This figure accounts for child mortality and the fact that not every woman has children. It is widely considered the minimum needed to prevent population decline. 'I understand it's not easy to achieve, but it should be at least 2.1,' Putin said on Monday, responding to a report on regional demographic trends presented by the head of the Udmurt Republic, Aleksandr Brechalov. Brechalov noted that Udmurtia's current TFR of 1.39 is below the national average, adding that the region, which is located west of the Ural Mountains, aims to raise it to 1.6 by 2030. Falling birth rates and a shrinking population have become pressing issues for Russian lawmakers, spurring a range of proposed solutions, from tax incentives to abortion restrictions. Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova warned of a looming fertility crisis. She said the number of women of childbearing age has reached a historic low and is projected to fall further over the next decade. To reverse the trend, the government has introduced a range of support measures, including lump-sum payments for childbirth, expanded maternity benefits, and ongoing financial assistance for families. The Soviet-era 'Mother Heroine' award that offers cash rewards to women who have more than ten children has also been revived. Officials have proposed other policies as well, such as discouraging the promotion of 'child-free' lifestyles and offering extra tax breaks for larger families. Putin has repeatedly stressed the importance of improving economic and social conditions to promote larger families and make parenthood a widely supported choice. In June, he endorsed the creation of a national family support service. Last year, he established a presidential council focused on family and demographic policy. Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported only 1.222 million births in 2024, the lowest annual total since 1999. The figure marks a decline of one third since 2014.
Russia Today
07-07-2025
- Russia Today
Trump announces stinging tariffs on US allies in Asia
US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on several countries, including key Asian allies Japan and South Korea. On Monday, Trump posted near-identical letters on Truth Social to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, declaring a 'tariff of only 25%' on all imports starting August 1. He said economic ties with Tokyo and Seoul had 'been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.' 'We have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE,' he wrote. 'We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far.' He warned that another 25% could follow if Japan or South Korea raise their own tariffs in response. Trump also imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Tunisia. Higher rates will apply to imports from South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Indonesia (32%), Serbia and Bangladesh (35%), Thailand and Cambodia (36%), and Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar (40%). Trump has long argued that tariffs fix unfair trade deficits and stop other countries from 'ripping off' the US. Critics say the policy will raise domestic prices and hurt the economy. Democrats and some economists call the new rates poorly designed. The first round of levies came on April 2 with the so-called 'Liberation Day' package. It included a 10% tariff on all imports and steeper rates for China, Mexico, Canada, and the EU. Some tariffs were paused for 90 days to allow time for talks and avoid a full-scale trade war. Earlier this month, Trump said more tariffs were coming if deals weren't reached. 'By the ninth they'll be fully covered,' he told reporters Friday. 'They'll range in value from maybe 60% or 70% tariffs to 10% and 20% tariffs.'
