The level of education, health of the population, economic status, religious affiliation and other aspects of the population.

In June 2012, the population of South Korea reached 50 million. Since the 2000s, South Korea has been struggling with a low birth rate, which has led some researchers to speculate that if the current demographic trends keep the country's population from shrinking to around 38 million by the end of the 21st century In 2016, South Korea's population was 51.25 million.

Background

In South Korea, many different Asian peoples have migrated to the Korean peninsula in past centuries, however, few remain permanent. South Korea and North Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world. Both North Korea and South Korea equate nationality or citizenship with belonging to the same homogeneous ethnic group and the politicized notion of "race".

A common language and especially race are seen as important elements of South Korea in terms of identity, more than citizenship.

Demographic trends

Population of South Korea by age and gender (demographic pyramids)

as on 1955-09-01

as on 1960-11-01

as on 1965-11-01

as on 1970-10-01

as on 1975-11-01

as on 1980-11-01

as on 1985-11-01

as on 1990-11-01

as on 1995-11-01

as on 2000-11-01

as on 2005-11-01

as on 2010-11-01

as on 2015-11-01

Live birth, death of South Korea (1925~2016)

Raw birth, death pace of South Korea (1925~2016)

According to Worldometers' statistics "South Korea Population Forecast, South Korea should have 0.36% yoy growth per change by 2020, 0.28% yoy growth per change by 2025, 0.18% yoy growth per change by 52,701,817 and +0.04% annual change increase by 2035 According to the same statistics, the years from 2040 to 2050 should have a steady decline in annual percentage change.

South Korea's population has shown steady growth since the establishment of the republic in 1948, and then slowed down sharply with the effects of economic growth. In the first official census taken in 1949, the total population of South Korea was calculated at 20,188,641 people. General 1985 census 40,466,577. Population growth was slow, averaging about 1.1% per year between 1949 and 1955, when the population was recorded at 21.5 million. Growth accelerated between 1955 and 1966 to 29.2 million or by an average of 2.8%, but decreased significantly over the period from 1966 to 1985 by an average of 1.7%. Thereafter, average annual growth rates are estimated to be less than 1%, in line with the low growth rates of most industrial developed countries and a target set by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs in the 1990s. As of January 1, 1989, the estimated population of South Korea would be about 42.2 million people.

The proportion of the total population under fifteen rose and fell with the growth rate. In 1955 about 41.2% of the population was under the age of fifteen, a percentage that had risen to 43.5% in 1966 would drop to 38.3% in 1975, 34.2% in 1980 and 29.9% in 1985 d. In the past, a large proportion of children in relation to the total population has put a heavy burden on the country's economy, in part because significant funds have been invested in educational institutions. With the slowdown in population growth and the rise in median age (from 18.7 years to 21.8 years between 1960 and 1980), the age structure of the population began to resemble the bar-shaped pattern typical of developed countries rather than the pyramidal pattern in most parts third world.

The decline in the population growth rate and the proportion of those under fifteen years of age after 1966 reflected the success of official and unofficial birth control programs. The government of President Syngman Rhee (1948-60) was conservative in such matters. Although Christian churches initiated a family planning campaign in 1957, it was not until 1962 that Park Chung Hee's government, alarmed at how rapidly the population was growing, was undermining the economic growth started a nationwide family planning program. Other factors that contributed to the slowdown in population growth included urbanization, later marriage ages for men and women, more high level education, more women in the workforce, and better health.

Public and private institutions involved in the family planning process included the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Korea Planned Parenthood Federation, and the Korea Planned Parenthood Institute. In the late 1980s, their activities included distributing free congenital control and information devices, classes for women in family planning methods, and providing special grants and benefits (such as low interest housing loans) for parents who have agreed to undergo sterilization. There were 502,000 South Koreans being sterilized in 1984, up from 426,000 the previous year.

1973 Maternal Law Child Health legalized abortion. In 1983, the government began suspending health insurance benefits for maternity care for pregnant women with three or more children. He also denied tax deductions for education expenses for parents with two or more children.

As in China, cultural attitudes pose problems for family planning programs. A strong preference for sons—who in the traditional Confucian Korean value system is expected to care for their parents in old age and carry on family names—means that parents with only daughters tended to continue to have children until a son was born. The government encouraged couples to have only one child. This was the main theme in public service advertisements, which emphasized "have one child and raise him well."

Crude fertility rates (the average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime) fell from 6.1 births per woman in 1960 to 4.2 in 1970, 2.8 in 1980 and 2.4 in 1984 the number of live births, recorded at 711,810 in 1978, rose to a high of 917,860 in 1982. This development stirred fear among family planners of a new "baby boom". By 1986, however, the number of live births had dropped to 806,041.

The decline in population growth continues, and between 2005 and 2010 the total fertility rate for South Korean women was 1.21, one of the lowest in the world according to the United Nations. A birth rate below a replacement rate of 2.1 births per female has sparked national alarm, a dire prediction of an aging society unable to grow or support its older adults. The recent Korean government has prioritized the issue on its agenda, promising to enact social reforms that will encourage women to have children.

The country's population increased to 46 million by the end of the twentieth century, with growth rates ranging from 0.9% to 1.2%. The population is expected to stabilize (i.e. stop growing) in 2023 at around 52.6 million. According to Asiaweek magazine, the "stabilized number would approach the number of Filipinos in 1983, but squeezed in less than a third of their [Philippines'] space."

the nature of the settlement of the population

South Korea is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with an estimated 425 people per square kilometer in 1989—more than sixteen times the average population density of the United States in the late 1980s. By comparison, China had an estimated 114 people, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) 246 people, and Japan 323 people per square kilometer in the late 1980s. Because about 70% of South Korea's land area is mountainous and the population is concentrated in lowland areas, actual population densities were generally higher than average. As early as 1975, it was estimated that the density of South Korea's thirty-five cities, each with a population of 50,000 or more inhabitants, was 3,700 people per square kilometer. Due to continued migration to urban areas, this figure was undoubtedly higher in the late 1980s.

In 1988, Seoul had a population density of 17,030 people per square kilometer, down from 13,816 people per square kilometer in 1980. The second largest city, Busan, had a density of 8,504 people per square kilometer in 1988, down from 7,272 people per square kilometer in 1980 . Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital and contains Chemulpo, the country's fourth largest city, was the province's most populous; Kangwon Province in the northeast was the least populous province.

According to the government's Economic Planning Council, the population density will be 530 people per square kilometer by 2023. The population is expected to stabilize.

The rural area in South Korea consists of agglomerated villages in river valleys and range from a few houses to several hundred. These villages are located in the south, which are backed by hills and provide good protection from the winter winds.

Since 1960, the pace of urbanization in South Korea has reached a significant decline in the population of rural areas and the traditional rural lifestyle is slowly disappearing.

Aging population

South Korea is facing a rapidly aging population. In fact, the rate of aging in Korea is unprecedented in human history, 18 years to double the aging of the population from 7 - 14% (the smallest number of years), surpassing even Japan. A statistic supporting this observation, the percentage of older people aged 65 and over, has risen sharply from 3.3% in 1955 to 10.7% in 2009. The shape of its population has changed from a pyramid in the 1990s, with more young people and fewer older people, in the form of diamonds in 2010, with fewer young people, and a large proportion of the average age of individuals.

There are several effects and problems associated with population aging. A rapidly aging population can have a number of negative impacts on the workforce. In particular, experts predict that this could lead to a narrowing of the workforce. As the proportion of people enter their 50s and 60s, they either choose to retire or are forced to retire by their companies. Thus, there would be a decrease in the share of the economically active population in the population. Also, with rapid aging, it is highly likely that there will be an imbalance in the young-to-old percentage of the workforce. This can lead to a lack of dynamism and innovation in the workforce, as it slams mostly middle-aged workers. The data shows that while there are fewer young people in society, the percentage of the economically active population, of people aged 15 - 64, has grown by 20% from 55.5% to 72.5%. This indicates that the labor force is indeed mostly middle-aged workers.

A possible consequence could be that South Korea would be a less attractive candidate for investment. Investors may decide to move to countries like Vietnam and China where there is an abundance of cheap, junior labor. If employers were to choose to maintain operations in South Korea, there is a possibility that they may incur costs associated with retraining or upgrading the skills of this group of middle-aged workers. In addition, high healthcare costs may also be incurred and the government will need to allocate more money to maintain a good healthcare system to cater for the elderly.

Due to very low birth rates, South Korea is predicted to introduce the Russian cross pattern as soon as the large generation born in the 1960s begins to die off, with potentially a decade of population decline.

urbanization

Like other newly industrialized countries, South Korea has experienced a rapid growth of urban areas, caused by the migration of large numbers of people from the countryside. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Seoul, by far the largest urban settlement, had a population of about 190,000 people. There was a striking contrast with Japan, where Edo (Tokyo) had more than 1 million inhabitants and an urban population comprising as much as 10% to 15% of the total during the Tokugawa period (1600-1868). During the closing years of the Joseon Dynasty and the early years of Japanese colonial rule, Korea's urban population was no more than 3% of the total. After 1930, when the Japanese began industrial development in the Korean peninsula, especially in the northern provinces adjacent to Manchuria, the urban population began to grow, reaching 11.6% for all of Korea in 1940.

Between 1945 and 1985, South Korea's urban population grew from 14.5% to 65.4% of the total population. In 1988, the Economic Planning Board estimated that the urban population would reach 78.3% by the end of the twentieth century. Much of this urban increase has been due to migration rather than natural urban growth. Urban birth rates tended to be lower than the national average. The degree of urbanization in South Korea, however, is not fully revealed in these statistics. The urban population was defined in the national census, limited to those municipalities with 50,000 or more inhabitants. Although many settlements with a population of 50,000 inhabitants were satellite cities of Seoul and other major cities or mountain communities in the northeastern province of Gangwon, which would be considered urban in terms of living conditions and occupations of residents, they were still officially classified as rural.

The dislocation caused by the Korean War accounted for the rapid growth of the urban population during the period of the early 1950s. Hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of them from North Korea, flocked to the cities. In the aftermath of the Korean War, rural people left their ancestral villages in search of greater economic and educational opportunities in the cities. By the end of the 1960s, migration became a serious problem, not only because the cities were terribly overcrowded, but also because the youngest and most productive members of their labor force were losing out in rural areas.

In 1970, the Park Chung-hee government launched Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) as a rural reconstruction and self-help movement to improve economic conditions in villages, close the large income gap between rural and urban areas, and stop urban migration-by also build political base. Despite the huge amount of government-supported advertising, especially during the park era, it was not clear by the end of the 1980s that Undon Saemaul had achieved its goal. By then, many, if not most, farming and fishing villages were made up of older people; relatively few able-bodied men and women remained to work in the fields or fish. This trend is evident in government statistics for the 1986-87 period: the proportion of people fifty years of age or older living in rural communities increased from 28.7% in 1986 to 30.6% in 1987, while the number of people in their twenties living in agriculture communities decreased from 11.3% to 10.8%. The statewide percentages for people fifty years of age or older and in their twenties were, in 1986, 14.9% and 20.2%, respectively (see Economy, ch. 3).

In 1985, the largest cities were Seoul (9,645,932 inhabitants), Busan (3,516,807), Daegu (2,030,672), Incheon (1,387,491), Gwangju (906,129) and Daejeon (866,695). According to government statistics, the population of Seoul, one of the largest cities in the world, has exceeded 10 million people at an average annual population growth rate of the end of 1988 in Seoul in the late 1980s was over 3%. Two-thirds of this growth was due to migration, not natural increase. Research has shown that "a new job or looking for a new job", "transition to another job" and "business" were the main reasons why new immigrants came to the capital. Other factors cited by immigrants included "education" and "a better area to live in."

To reduce overcrowding in Seoul's downtown area, the city government developed a master plan in the mid-1980s that called for the development of four "core areas" by 2000: the original city center, Yongdongpo-Yeouido, Yongdong, and Jamsil. Satellite cities will also be created or expanded. In the late 1980s, statistics showed that the daytime or commuter population of Seoul City was as much as six times the officially registered population. If the master plan is successful, many commuters will commute to work in the core area closer to their homes, and the daytime population of the inner city will decrease. Many government ministries were moved from Seoul and the army, navy and air force headquarters were moved to Daejeon.

In 1985, Seoul's population accounted for 23.8% of the national total. The provincial towns, however, experienced equal and, in many cases, greater expansion than the capital. Growth has been particularly impressive in the southeastern coastal region, which includes the port cities of Busan, Masan, Yeos, Chinhae, Ulsan, and Pohang. Census data show that Ulsan's population increased in eighteenfold, rising from 30,000 to 551,300 residents between 1960 and 1985, with the exception of Yeosu, all of these cities are in South Gyeongsang Province, an area that has been a particularly favored recipient of government development projects. By comparison, the population of Gwangju, the capital of South Jeolla Province, less than tripled between 1960 and 1985, rising from 315,000 to 906,129 residents.

Rapid urban growth has brought familiar challenges in developed and developing countries alike. Construction of a large number of high-rise residential complexes in Seoul and other major cities, alleviated the housing shortage to some extent. But he also put pressure on tens of thousands of people who were forced to move out of their old neighborhoods because they couldn't afford the rent in the new buildings. In the late 1980s, squatter areas consisting of one-story shacks still exist in parts of Seoul. Housing for everyone, but the richest in general crowded. The concentration of factories in urban areas, the rapid growth in motor vehicle traffic, and the widespread use of coal for heating during the harsh winter months have caused dangerous levels of air and water pollution, problems that still persist today even after several years of greener policies.

Like other newly industrialized countries, South Korea has experienced a rapid growth of urban areas, caused by the migration of large numbers of people from the countryside. In 2016, 82.59 percent of the total population of South Korea lives in urban areas and cities.

Vital statistics

UN estimates

Source:

period	Live births per year	Deaths per year	Natural change per year	CBR 1	CDR 1	NC 1	TFR 1	IMR 1
1950-1955	722000	331000	391000	35,8	16,4	19,4	5,05	138,0
1955-1960	1049000	356000	693000	45,4	15,4	30,0	6,33	114,4
1960-1965	1067000	347000	720000	39,9	13,0	27,0	5,63	89,7
1965-1970	985000	298000	687000	32,9	9,9	23,0	4,71	64,2
1970-1975	1004000	259000	746000	30,4	7,8	22,5	4,28	38,1
1975-1980	833000	253000	581000	23,1	7,0	16,1	2,92	33,2
1980-1985	795000	248000	547000	20,4	6,4	14,0	2,23	24,6
1985-1990	647000	239000	407000	15,5	5,7	9,8	1,60	14,9
1990-1995	702000	239000	463000	16,0	5,5	10,6	1,70	9,7
1995-2000	615000	247000	368000	13,6	5,5	8,1	1,51	6,6
2000-2005	476000	245000	231000	10,2	5,3	5.0	1,22	5,3
2005-2010	477000	243000	234000	10,0	5,1	4,9	1,29	3,8
2010-2015	455000	275000	180000				1,26
1 CBR = birth rate (per 1000); CDR = death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births

Life expectancy at birth from 1908 to 2015

1865-1949

1950-2015

period	years	period	Average life expectancy in years
1950-1955	47,9	1985-1990	70,3
1955-1960	51,2	1990-1995	72,9
1960-1965	54,8	1995-2000	75,0
1965-1970	58,8	2000-2005	77,2
1970-1975	63,1	2005-2010	79,4
1975-1980	65,0	2010-2015	81,3
1980-1985	67,4

Source: UN World Population Prospects

Total fertility rate from 1900 to 1924

years	1900	1901	1902	1903	1904	1905	1906	1907	1908	1909	1910
	6	6	5,99	5,99	5,98	5,98	5,97	5,96	5,96	5,96

years	1911	1912	1913	1914	1915	1916	1917	1918	1919	1920
Total Fertility Rate in South Korea	5,95	5,95	5,94	5,94	5,93	5,93	5,92	5,92	5,93	5,94

Registered births and deaths

Source:

	Average population	live birth	deaths	natural changes	Total Fertility Rate (per 1000)	Crude death rate (per 1000)	Natural change (per 1000)	Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
1925	12997611	558897	359042	199855	43,0	27,6	15,4	5,95
1926	13052741	511667	337948	173719	39,2	25,9	13,3	5,91
1927	13037169	534524	353818	180706	41,0	27,1	+13,9	5,89
1928	13105131	566142	357701	208441	43,2	27,3	15,9	5,87
1929	13124279	566969	414366	152603	43,2	31,6	11,6	5,9
1930	13880469	587144	322611	264533	42,3	23,2	19,1	5,93
1931	13895052	589428	346800	242628	42,4	25,0	17,4	5,96
1932	14117191	600545	384287	216258	42,5	27,2	15,3	5,99
1933	14229277	607021	336232	270789	42,7	23,6	19,1	6,02
1934	14449155	618135	356515	261620	42,8	24,7	18,1	6,05
1935	15061960	646158	377454	268704	42,9	25,1	17,8	6,08
1936	15114775	639355	381806	257549	42,3	25,3	17,0	6,12
1937	15235383	636839	342575	294264	41,8	22,5	19,3	6,15
1938	15358193	569299	347025	222274	37,1	22,6	14,5	6,18
1939	15486028	585482	353391	232091	37,8	22,8	15,0	6,16
1940	15559741	527964	358496	169468	33,9	23,0	10,9	6,14
1941	15745478	553690	366239	187451	35,2	23,3	11,9	6,12
1942	16013742	533768	376003	157765	33,3	+23,5	9,8	6,1
1943	16239721	513846	384881	128965	31,6	23,7	7,9	6,08
1944	16599172	533215	380121	153094	32,1	22,9	9,2	5,98
1945	16695819	544786	367308	177478	32,6	22,0	10,6	5,88
1946	19369270	590763	410629	180134	30,5	21,2	9,3	5,79
1947	19836234	686334	361019	325315	35,0	18,2	+16,8	5,69
1948	20027393	692948	374512	318436	34,6	18,7	15,9	5,59
1949	20188641	696508	341188	355320	34,5	16,9	+17,6	4,81
1950	19211386	633976	597474	36502	33,0	31,1	1,9	5,05
1951	19304737	675666	579142	96524	35,0	30,0	5.0
1952	19566860	722018	457865	264153	36,9	23,4	13,5
1953	19979069	777186	363619	413567	38,9	18,2	20,7
1954	20520601	839293	348850	490433	40,9	17,0	23,9
1955	21168611	908134	295302	612832	42,9	14,0	28,9	6,33
1956	21897911	945990	294344	651646	43,2	13,4	29,8
1957	22681233	963952	293344	670608	42,5	12,9	29,6
1958	23490027	993628	291864	701764	42,3	12,4	29,9
1959	24295786	1016173	289525	726648	41,8	11,9	29,9
1960	25012374	1080535	285350	795185	43,2	11,4	31,8	6,16
1961	25765673	1046086	280846	765240	40,6	10,9	29,7	5,99
1962	26513030	1036659	270433	760266	39,1	10,2	28,9	5,79
1963	27261747	1033220	278070	755150	37,9	10,2	27,7	5,57
1964	27984155	1001833	279842	721991	35,8	10,0	25,8	5,36
1965	28704674	996052	272694	723358	34,7	9,5	25,2	5,16
1966	29435571	1030245	294356	735889	35,0	10,0	25,0	4,99
1967	30130983	1005293	242280	763013	33,4	8,0	+25,4	4,84
1968	30838302	1043321	280308	763013	33,8	9,1	24,7	4,72
1969	31544266	1044943	270023	774920	33,1	8,6	+24,5	4,62
1970	32240827	1006645	258589	748056	31,2	8,0	23,2	4,53
1971	32882704	1024773	237528	787245	31,2	7,2	23,9	4,54
1972	33505406	952780	210071	742709	28,4	6,3	22,2	4,12
1973	34103149	965521	267460	698061	28,3	7,8	+20,5	4,07
1974	34692266	922823	248807	674016	26,6	7,2	19,4	3,77
1975	35280725	874030	270657	603373	24,8	7,7	17,1	3,43
1976	35848523	796331	266857	529474	22,2	7,4	+14,8	3,00
1977	36411795	825339	249254	576085	22,7	6,8	+15,8	2,99
1978	36969185	750728	252298	498430	20,3	6,8	13,5	2,64
1979	37534236	862669	239986	622683	23,0	6,4	+16,6	2,90
1980	38123775	862835	277284	585551	22,6	7,3	15,4	2,82
1981	38723248	867409	237481	629928	22,4	6,1	16,3	2,57
1982	39326352	848312	245767	602545	21,6	6,2	15,3	2,39
1983	39910403	769155	254563	514592	19,3	6,4	12,9	2,06
1984	40405956	674793	236445	438348	+16,7	5,9	10.8	1,74
1985	40805744	655489	240418	415071	16,1	5,9	10,2	1,66
1986	41213674	636019	239256	396763	15,4	5,8	9,6	1,58
1987	41621690	623831	243504	380327	15,0	5,9	9,1	1,53
1988	42031247	633092	235779	397313	15,1	5,6	9,5	1,55
1989	42449038	639431	236818	402613	15,1	5,6	9,5	1,56
1990	42869283	649738	241616	408122	15,2	5,6	9,5	1,57
1991	43295704	709275	242270	467005	16,4	5,6	10.8	1,71
1992	43747962	730678	236162	494516	+16,7	5,4	11,3	1,76
1993	44194628	715826	234257	481569	16,0	5,2	10.8	1,65
1994	44641540	721185	242439	478746	16,0	5,4	10,6	1,66
1995	45092991	715020	242838	472182	+15,7	5,3	10,3	1,63
1996	45524681	691226	241149	450077	15,0	5,2	9,8	1,57
1997	45953580	668344	241943	426401	14,4	5,2	9,2	1,52
1998	46286503	634790	243193	391597	13,6	5,2	8,4	1,45
1999	46616677	614233	245364	368869	13,0	5,2	7,8	1,41
2000	47008111	634501	246163	388838	13,3	5,2	8,2	1,47
2001	47370164	554895	241521	313374	11,6	5.0	6,5	1,30
2002	47644736	492111	245317	246794	10,2	5,1	5,1	1,17
2003	47892330	490543	244506	246037	10,2	5,1	5,1	1,18
2004	48082519	472761	244217	228544	9,8	5.0	4,7	1,15
2005	48184561	435031	243883	191148	8,9	5.0	3,9	1,08
2006	48438292	448153	242266	205887	9,2	5.0	4,2	1,12
2007	48683638	493189	244874	248315	10,0	5.0	5,1	1,25
2008	49054708	465892	246113	219779	9,4	5.0	4,4	1,19
2009	49307835	444849	246942	197907	9,0	5.0	4,0	1,15
2010	49554112	470171	255405	214766	9,4	5,1	4,3	1,23
2011	49936638	471265	257396	213869	9,4	5,1	4,3	1,24
2012	50199853	484550	267221	217329	9,6	5,3	4,3	1,30
2013	50428893	436455	266257	170198	8,6	5,3	3,4	1,19
2014	50746659	435435	267692	167743	8,6	5,3	3,3	1,21
2015	51014947	438420	275895	162525	8,6	5,4	3,2	1,24
2016	51245707	406243	280827	125416	7,9	5,5	2,4	1,17
2017	51446201	357771	285534	72237	7,0	5,6	1.4	1,05

Current natural population growth

ethnic groups

South Korea is a relatively homogeneous society with an absolute majority of the population of Korean ethnicity, which accounts for about 96% of the total population of the Republic of Korea. However, with its emergence as an economic force, opportunities for foreign settlers have increased and in 2007 the number of foreign nationals residing in South Korea passed the million mark for the first time in history, and the number reached 2 million in 2016. 1,016,000 of them came from China. , more than half of them are ethnic Koreans of Chinese citizenship. The next largest group is from Vietnam with 149,000 inhabitants. The third largest group is from the United States with 117,000 residents, excluding US troops stationed in the country. Thailand, Philippines, Uzbekistan and other countries followed.

China in South Korea

When the People's Republic of China and South Korea reformed relations was resolved, several Chinese migrants appeared in South Korea in 1992. In the early 1900s, a trade agreement allowed merchants from China to conduct business transactions in South Korea.

North Americans in South Korea

South Korean immigration rules are especially strict for non-Asians. South Korean seat of various regulations regarding applicants for citizenship through marriage to one is required to pass the Korean language proficiency test, and has an annual income of more than 14 million won. Because of this, most North Americans come to the country either as tourists or professionals.

Vietnamese in South Korea

Relations between Vietnamese and South Koreans date back to 1200, when Ly Duong left at Goreyeo in Korea after a string of power disputes. Currently, Vietnamese migrants who go to South Korea are introduced to local husbands through marriage agencies.

Filipinos in South Korea

Relations between Filipinos and South Korea can be traced back to the 1950s during the Korean War. Over 7,500 Filipino soldiers fought for the UN to help South Korea's conflict with North Korea. During 2007, there were an estimated 70,000 Filipino immigrants in South Korea. Massive rural urban migration has resulted in a shortage of young women in these areas. This has led many Filipino brides to find their way to South Korea and migrate there.

The following is a foreigner group in South Korea, there are more than 5,000.

Nationalities foreign citizens in South Korea (2016 census)
China	1016607
Vietnam	149384
United States	140222
Thailand	100860

- a state in northeast Asia, occupying the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. In the north it borders on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in the east it is washed by the Sea of ​​Japan, in the south and southeast by the Korea Strait, in the west by the Yellow Sea. South Korea also owns several islands, the largest of which are Jeju, Chedo and Geojedo.

The name comes from the ethnonym used in the X-XIV centuries.

Official name: The Republic of Korea

Capital: seoul

The area of ​​the land: 98.5 thousand sq. km

Total population: 50 million people

Administrative division: 9 provinces and 5 cities of central subordination.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Composition of the population: 99% are Korean, there is also a small Chinese minority.

Official language: Korean.

Religion: 51.2% - Buddhism, 34.4% - Christians (Protestants), 10.6% - Catholics, 1.8 - followers of shamanism and Confucianism.

Internet domain: .kr

Mains voltage: ~110 V/220 V, 60 Hz

Phone country code: +82

Country barcode: 880

Climate

Moderate monsoon. The average annual temperature is up to +5 C in the north and +14 C in the south. Summer is hot - 21-24 C (up to +35 C), with frequent and heavy rains brought by monsoons from June to July. Winter is cold - up to -10 C on the coasts and -20 C in the central regions, with little snow. Frequent thaws. Precipitation falls on average up to 2000 mm. per year (in the north - up to 5000 mm., in Seoul - about 1500 mm.), mainly in summer. The best time to visit the country is from June to October.

Geography

The state with a total area of ​​98.5 thousand square kilometers is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in northeast Asia. It borders North Korea in the north. In the east it is washed by the Sea of ​​Japan, in the south and southeast by the Korea Strait, in the west by the Yellow Sea.

The landscape of the country is very diverse, 70% of the territory is occupied by low mountains, stretching from north to south with chains of the Sobaek ridges (the highest point is the city of Chirisan, 1915 m), Gyeongsan (Nanmin Mountains, 2014 m), Geumgang (1638 m), Seorak (1780 m) and Taebaek (1546 m). The highest mountain point of the country is the city of Hallasan (1950 m), located on the largest island of the country - Chechzhudo.

The coastline is quite indented and framed by a large number (more than 3 thousand) of islands, especially along the western and southern coasts of the country. In the east, the coastline is rocky and relatively straight, with small beaches at estuaries.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Due to the mild climate, the vegetation of Korea is very diverse. In the mountains of Korea, broad-leaved and oak forests grow, which alternate with mixed forests and conifers. The most common tree species in the forests are oaks, hornbeams, birches, lindens and other species, among which there are valuable ones.

There are fewer forests directly in South Korea. Ginseng is very common here in the foothills. And in the mountains grow oaks, maples, ash trees. Lianas and lemongrass are often found on tree trunks, as well as wild grapes. Below, along the lower mountain belt, dense pine forests grow. On the territory of the subalpine belt, beautiful alpine meadows are spread, near which many shrubs grow. By the way, Korean pine, found in the forests of Korea, is the most expensive tree species.

In the south of Korea, there are many evergreen trees, such as the Japanese camellia. Summer green trees, such as chestnut, are also very common. In total, the flora of Korea has more than 4 thousand varieties. This is despite the fact that large areas of forests were cut down in the twentieth century. Bamboo grows in the valleys, the shoots of which grow up to 10 meters.

Animal world

Foxes, wild boars, gorals, roe deer, spotted deer, red deer, columns, otters, squirrels live in the forests of South Korea, sometimes you can meet tigers, leopards, lynxes and Ussuri and white-breasted bears. In coastal areas, the greatest diversity of birds is observed: passerines, herons, cranes, storks, geese, ducks, waders, gulls, cormorants, auks, guillemots and guillemots.

In addition, on the territory of South Korea there are such birds of prey as the Kamchatka sea eagle, and large birds of the order of chickens - pheasants, black grouses and hazel grouses. Several hundred species of fish live in the coastal and inland waters of the country.

Attractions

Korea, with its picturesque nature, mountains, beaches and rivers, with a rich cultural and historical heritage, is one of the most interesting countries in Southeast Asia in terms of tourism. Here you can see ancient Buddhist monasteries, royal palaces, sculptural monuments, pagodas, archaeological sites, fortresses, folklore villages and numerous museums. And the picturesque nature and carefully preserved habitat give the country a special charm.

Banks and currency

Won (W, KRW). There are banknotes of 50,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 won (often referred to simply as "chon", which means "thousand") and coins of 500, 100, 50 and 10 won (coins of 5 and 1 won are now practically are not used and are withdrawn from circulation after the denomination of 2009).

Banks are open on weekdays from 9.30 to 16.30, on Saturday until 13.30. Day off - Sunday. ATMs are open from 9.30 to 22.00, and some - around the clock.

Money can be exchanged at banks, specialized exchange offices and large hotels. US dollars are accepted in many small shops and in the market on a par with local currency, however, in department stores and large stores, dollars are not accepted at all.

Credit accepted everywhere VISA cards, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and JCB. Traveler's checks can only be cashed at banks or offices of major international transport and travel companies.

Bank checks are also used in denominations of 100,000 won or more, however, when paying with them, you need to indicate your passport number, address and phone number in Korea on the back, so if you do not have a residence permit, it is almost impossible to pay with checks.

Useful information for tourists

The traditional system of hierarchy and respect for elders is still of great importance in all spheres of life. Direct questions about age and marital status are considered commonplace, as they allow the Korean to get an idea about the interlocutor and his place in the hierarchical system of society. Koreans avoid expressing emotions in public or laughing out loud in the presence of older people.

Greetings are always pronounced with a slight bow, the depth of which depends on the position of the speakers. At a meeting, both the right and left hands are served and shaken, although the right hand is preferred - the left hand is placed under the right. Failure to comply with this rule may be regarded as a manifestation of impoliteness. More common is just a nod of the head, as well as a slight or respectful bow (depending on who greets whom). Usually they do not look directly into the eyes - this is perceived, rather, as a threat or an attempt to exert psychological pressure.

Here they almost never say "thank you" or "nothing" so as not to embarrass the person who has shown the courtesy. When gifts are brought, they are quietly left at the entrance, and not shown to the person for whom they are intended. No one will also apologize by inadvertently pushing someone they meet on the street or stepping on their foot. Public displays of affection, such as kissing and hugging, are considered obscene.

At the table, they do not start eating until the eldest in age arrives, and everyone rises when he leaves the table.

During the meal, do not leave chopsticks in rice, as this is associated with a funeral. You cannot write names in red ink - this is how the names of the dead are written. Traditionally, Koreans sit, eat and sleep on the floor. Therefore, when entering a Korean home, you must always take off your shoes. You can not stand on the threshold, so as not to let in evil spirits.

It is impossible to talk about divorce, death or ruin, even as a joke, so as not to invite evil fate on yourself. It is considered indecent to be bare-legged in the presence of elders, so it is recommended to always wear socks or stockings when visiting a Korean family.

Tips are not taken in restaurants, the calculation is made not with the waiter, but at the checkout, which is located at the exit. There is usually no menu as such in Korean restaurants; all the names of dishes and their prices are indicated on a special table that hangs on the wall. Tipping is given only in large hotels of international class.

In the elevators of multi-storey buildings there is no fourth floor (the word "sa" - "fourth" sounds the same as "death"), so it is usually denoted by the letter "F" or the third is immediately followed by the fifth floor.

It is approximately 50 million people. The area of ​​the territory is a little more than 100 square kilometers. Thus, the population of South Korea has a density of more than 500 people per square kilometer.

Compare with Russia

The territory is 171 times smaller than the Russian Federation. less than 2.85 times. Nominally, Koreans are richer than Russians by more than 3 times (data before the crises and devaluation of 2014-2015).

Problems with fertility

As is known from the experience of the developed countries of Europe and the USA, the wealth of the population leads to a decrease in the birth rate. This fate befell the Asian economic giant. The birth rate has been below 1.20 per woman for many years. One of the worst rates in the world. If the situation does not change in the coming years, then the population of South Korea may be reduced to 20 million by the end of this century. Experts predict complete extinction while maintaining such a birth rate by the middle of the 28th century. Only a few countries in the world have lower rates - these are Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau.

Economic characteristics of the country

South Korea is an industrial leader in the Asian region with a developed IT industry. Unlike the rich natural resources countries that do not have natural resources. This forces the development of non-resource sectors: tourism, banking, information technologies, electronics, automotive, alternative energy sources.

Hard work and diligence are features of Korean culture. Only recently has the official labor legislation moved to an 8-hour day with a 5-day work week. Prior to this, the law allowed and universally applied a 6-day work week with a 10-hour work day. Until now, many enterprises operate exactly this schedule. The authorities are not particularly fighting for compliance with the labor regime. The level of competition in the workplace makes you give 100 percent.

In this country, students study until the age of 24-28. Moreover, each stage (and there are many) is accompanied by qualifying exams and selections. After graduation, competition only intensifies in enterprises. A long educational path is associated with high requirements of employers. South Korea is a leader in digital communications technology.

This is one of the few Asian countries in which the role of the state has changed. Almost all political and economic leverage is held by large industrial corporations. The population of South Korea is not subordinated to state interests, as, for example, in the DPRK and many other Asian countries. Here, on the contrary, Western thinking and mentality. The state should help and take care of society.

The most disliked professions are police officers and civil servants. The first in the minds of South Koreans are associated with the Japanese occupation. The second is due to low wages compared to other areas. A policeman is a hated warden in the eyes of ordinary Koreans. The internal affairs officers themselves do not feel endowed with special power that can be abused. In society, the demands are dictated by the laws, and not by the police, as in some other states.

Economic indicators

South Korea population counter and scoring system economic indicators determined the state of the economy. This country is one of the leading developed countries not only in the Asian region, but in the world.

South Korea has more than 36 thousand US dollars for 2015. At the same time, the level of inflation and unemployment does not reach 3%. She is ranked 15th in this category.

The country's economy has undergone a number of transformations over the 20th century, it has constantly changed the vectors of its development. After World War II, the emphasis was on agricultural production. In the 50-60s. the emphasis began to be placed on light industry and in the 70-80s. heavy industry developed. Today, the economy of this country is dominated by the service sector and highly intelligent production, robotics and alternative energy sources are developing.

Thus, we can conclude that the population of South Korea is decreasing every year, and in economic terms, the country adapts to the needs of the world market and tries to occupy a leading position.

The population of South Korea is over 48 million people.

National composition:

• Koreans (99%);
• other nations (Chinese, Filipinos, Thais, Vietnamese, Americans).

The Koreans are sure that they are the descendants of the Altaic or proto-Altaic tribes: they compare themselves with the Turks, Mongols and Tungus. Their confidence is based on archaeological data, according to which tribes from the southern and central regions of Siberia did indeed migrate to the Korean Peninsula during the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

480 people live per 1 sq. km, but the most densely populated is the Seoul district of Yangcheon-gu (population density is over 27,000 people per 1 sq. km), and the least populated is Inje-gun County (Gangwon-do Province): here by 1 sq. km. km is home to 20 people.

The official language is Korean, but English is also widely spoken in the country.

Major cities: Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Iacheon, Daegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, Suwon,

Half of the inhabitants of South Korea (51%) profess Buddhism, the rest - Protestantism, Catholicism, Confucianism, shamanism.

Lifespan

The female population lives on average up to 80, and the male population lives up to 73 years. Despite the rather high figures, South Korea does not allocate so much money for health care ($2,000 per year for 1 person).

Koreans boast the lowest rates of obese people at 4%, while the European average is 18% and Mexico's is 40%. And this is surprising, because they do not adhere to a healthy diet: they eat little vegetables and fruits, and their diet consists of meat, fatty and fried foods, as well as inedible, according to Europeans, dishes in the form of fried insects.

Surely, Koreans would live even longer if it were not for their craving for smoking and alcoholic beverages.

Traditions and customs of the inhabitants of South Korea

Koreans are a devout people who respect ancestors, family, parents and friends, as well as any culture and foreigners.

In South Korea, it is interesting that a man, regardless of his age, will be considered an adult by others only after he marries.

A special event in the life of Koreans is the birth of a child: on the 100th day after his birth, the family organizes a small evening, inviting close relatives and friends to it. And when the child is one year old, this event is celebrated with special splendor. In addition to the fact that many people are invited to this event, the child is dressed in a bright silk suit, and a special ritual is arranged in his honor - fortune-telling for his future.

Koreans love to celebrate holidays. For example, on the Seokhonje holiday (March, September), people go to Confucian chapels, where costumed processions are held, accompanied by a traditional orchestra. And on the holiday of Buddha's birthday (May), Koreans arrange a spectacular spectacle - a parade of lanterns.

If in Korea you are invited to some institution, know that it is customary here that everyone pays for himself, and if you are invited to visit, then you must definitely praise the hostess for the food (this is very much appreciated).

South Korea is the name of the Republic of Korea, adopted in the media, so that there is no confusion when mentioning a neighboring state. Previously, this country was a single entity with North Korea. Therefore, the peoples living there today have common roots. The population of South Korea in 2019 is 51,294,272 people(current as of 03/28/2019).

History of the South Korean ethnic group

Koreans have been considered the indigenous people of the Republic of Korea since ancient times. In the 19th century, the Chinese also immigrated to these territories. Today, immigrants from neighboring states live and work in South Korea. Taiwanese, Chinese and even a small number of Japanese have been living there for a long time.

The main religions of the country are the following beliefs:

• Buddhism;
• Confucianism;
• Shamanism;
• Christianity;
• Taoism;
• Faith in ancestors.

The official language of the country is Korean. On the territory of the state there are many dialects of the official language.

The population of South Korea in numbers

The South Korean population is over 51.2 million. The ratio of men and women is approximately equal. The birth rate is twice the death rate. For example, more than 400,000 people are born in South Korea every year.

« In the Middle Ages, Korean women gave birth to 7-10 babies. Only 2-3 children survived to adulthood. And the total life expectancy did not exceed 30 years then. Therefore, with a high birth rate, Korea had problems with demography for a long time.».

The total area of ​​the Republic of Korea is 99,720 square kilometers. The population density is 510 people per square meter. These figures directly indicate the overpopulation of the country.

The pension burden ratio in South Korea reaches 15%. The indicator is quite low, because the working-age population in Korea is much larger than those who are retired.

The average life expectancy in the country is 79 years. Men live to age 75, while women live an average of 7 years longer. Compared with previous centuries, such figures speak of the development of medicine and concern for the ecology of the republic. In addition, these figures are close to European standards.

South Korea is a rather closed country for foreigners. That is why its centuries-old traditions can be found unchanged. The South Korean population is growing due to the birth rate, but also due to moderate immigration, too. The government of the country is not interested in a large increase in the population, because overpopulation is already observed in South Korea.