Key Drivers of Decline:
Low Fertility Rate:
Busan’s fertility rate in 2023 was 0.66 children per woman, significantly below the national average of 0.72 and far below the 2.1 needed for population stability.
South Korea’s overall fertility rate is the world’s lowest, and Busan’s rate is among the lowest within the country, contributing to fewer births.
Aging Population:
As of 2022, 46.5% of Busan’s population (1.53 million) was over 50 years old, with 702,000 aged 65 or older. By 2050, those over 65 are projected to constitute 53.3% of the city’s population.
In March 2024, Busan became the first metropolitan city in South Korea classified as a “super-aging society,” with 23% of its population aged 65 or older.
The extinction risk index for Busan, calculated as the ratio of women aged 20–39 to those over 65, was 0.490 in 2024, indicating a “danger of extinction” (an index below 0.5)
RE: LeoThread 2025-04-28 15:13