The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, August 17, 2022 | 14:07
-------------------------
Low births, aging population major hurdles for S. Korea: report
Posted : 2016-01-21 14:31
Updated : 2016-01-21 14:31
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
South Korea's low birth rate, coupled with an aging population, may pose serious and never-before-seen problems for Asia's fourth-largest economy, a report said Thursday.

The report by the Australia-based Macquarie Securities Group said the proportion of people aged 40 years or younger to the entire population here plunged to 48.1 percent last year from 69.4 percent in 1995.

The percentage is expected to further decline to 32 percent in 2050 due to a continued drop in the birth rate while the population's life expectancy continues to grow at a fast pace.

South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development while the number of newborns here dropped for two consecutive years in 2013 and 2014, according to earlier data from Statistics Korea.

The country is already an "aging society" with 7 percent of the population over 65, and will become an "aged society" with 14 percent of all people over 65 in 2018. It is expected to become a "super-aged society" in 2026, when one-fifth of the population will be over 65.


Korea faces rapidly aging population
Korea faces rapidly aging population
2016-03-23 17:40  |  Companies

The Macquarie report noted that Japan also faces similar issues of an aging population but that its outcome will be quite different from that of South Korea.

In fact, the aging of the population in Japan may even have some positive aspects as many people there continue to work past their retirement age, making them big spenders who help boost consumer spending, the report said.

"The Asian market will walk a path to either progress or retrogression over the next 20 years depending on its actions now," said Hwang Chan-young, head of Macquarie Research.

"Population and consumer spending, along with changes in China's economic structure and technological development will become crucial challenges and opportunities that will decide the future of Asia over the next 20 years." (Yonhap)




 
LG
  • Korean builders desperate for foreign construction workers
  • 2 Buddhist monks assault solo protester
  • Western, traditional Korean medicine doctors clash over terminology
  • Korea grapples with excess rice
  • Gates calls on Korea to play greater role in fight against COVID-19 pandemic
  • Instructors furious over scaling down of gugak in music teacher education
  • Ruling party chief accuses president of verbal abuse
  • Concerns grow over Korea's pension fund
  • Do Kwon says he will cooperate with investigation
  • NPS reduces Samsung shares, while increasing TSMC stocks
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    • NewJeans sets record with debut album NewJeans sets record with debut album
    • 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group