S. Korea expected to become the oldest country in the world by 2045

  • 5 years ago
한국 2045년 노인비중 세계최고 예상...합계출산율은 세계최저

A recent study shows, in a matter of decades, Korea will be home to the one of world's oldest populations.
The ongoing fertility crisis in recent years, adds to fears the nation's future economic growth could be at risk.
Seo Eunkyung help us look beyond the digits.
According to Statistics Korea on Monday... Korea's old-age population is expected comprise 37% of the total population by the year 2045,... becoming the oldest country in the world.
That figure is set to rise even further,... with elderly citizens expected to take up nearly half of the entire population by the year 2067.
In its latest report,... the statistics agency compiled its own data, as well as that of the rest of the world... based on the UN's World Population Prospects,... which was issued in June.
According to population aging forecasts, the number of people aged 65 and older would account for 46-point-5 percent of Korea's population,... while those in the rest of the world is expected to hit 18-point-6 percent in the year of 2067.
At the same time, Korea's working-age population is expected to shrink dramatically.
As of 2019, there is little difference in the working-age population ratio... between that of Korea and the rest of the world.
However, the small gap is expected to turn into a wide gulf... by the time the year 2067 rolls around.
Korea's working-age population ratio is expected to plummet to 45-point-4 percent... compared to 61-point-7 percent for the rest of the world.
Chronically low fertility rates have been identified as the main cause for the aging population.
The total fertility rate,... the average number of children born per woman over a lifetime... was seen at merely 1-point-1 children in Korea between the years 2015 and 2020... compared to the global average of 2-point-47 children.
This has translated into a greater financial burden for the working-age population in Korea... to support the growing number of dependents which include adolescents and senior citizens.
The number of dependents supported per 100 people in the working-age population group here in Korea... is expected to be double that of the global average by the year 2016.
South Korea's low fertility rates could make these projections an inevitability,... unless the government steps in to take decisive, working actions.
Seo Eunkyung, Arirang News.

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