In 2024, the population aged 65 or older in South Korea made up approximately ** percent of the total population. The share of older people in the total population has almost tripled in the last two decades.

Author: Michael Robinson, educatorGrade/Audience: high school, ap human geography, professional developmentResource type: lessonSubject topic(s): population, human geographyRegion: asiaStandards: AP Human Geography Connection 2.9 Aging Populations - Explain the causes and consequences of an aging population. An aging population has political, social, and economic consequences, including the dependency ratio. Objectives: The student will identify the leading causes of death in South Korea. The student will describe the growing aging population in South Korea. The student will explain how South Korea is dealing with the aging population. The student will describe and explain possible ways of supporting the growing elderly population in South Korea. Summary: South Korea has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, which has led to a growing aged population. The number of persons over 65 is projected to continue to rise, and with the increase there are social issues the government must address. The lesson has students analyzing graphs and maps from The Atlas of Korea to identity, describe, and explain aging of the population of South Korea. Students will listen to a news report and read an editorial to help them determine solutions to this growing problem in South Korea.

As of 2024, more than four million South Koreans were aged 75 or older. The total number of elderly is expected to more than double between 2020 and 2072. The demographics of South Korea are expected to change significantly in the coming years. Thirty years from now, the number of children and people aged 15 to 64 is estimated to drop by a third, while the number of older people is believed to double. Meanwhile, the total population is expected to drop by more than four million people by this time.

Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 13.914 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.436 % for 2016. Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 5.017 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.914 % in 2017 and a record low of 3.416 % in 1960. Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2023, there were approximately 2.1 million people aged 65 years and older in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Seoul followed with about 1.7 million. The total number of people aged 65 and older was around 9.7 million that year.

Korea Population: Total: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 7,161,073.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,885,593.000 Person for 2016. Korea Population: Total: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 2,119,549.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,161,073.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 854,433.000 Person in 1960. Korea Population: Total: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population 65 years of age or older. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 12.991 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.148 % for 2016. Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 25.741 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42.567 % in 1962 and a record low of 12.991 % in 2017. Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (SPPOP65UPTOZSPRK) from 1960 to 2024 about North Korea, 65-years +, and population.

This data package includes the underlying data to replicate the charts and calculations presented in Migration or stagnation: Aging and economic growth in Korea today, the world tomorrow, PIIE Working Paper 24-18.

If you use the data, please cite as:

Clemens, Michael. 2024. Migration or stagnation: Aging and economic growth in Korea today, the world tomorrow. PIIE Working Paper 24-18. Washington: Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 71.066 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 71.404 % for 2016. Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 67.953 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.923 % in 2013 and a record low of 53.294 % in 1963. Korea Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 15 to 64 as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain, and other countries, the historical and future estimated values of the proportion of the population aged 65 and over.

Korea Population: Male: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 19,097,096.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 19,085,917.000 Person for 2016. Korea Population: Male: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 14,525,334.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,097,096.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 6,642,501.000 Person in 1960. Korea Population: Male: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

Graph and download economic data for Age Dependency Ratio: Older Dependents to Working-Age Population for the Republic of Korea (SPPOPDPNDOLKOR) from 1960 to 2023 about 64 years +, working-age, Korea, ratio, and population.

In 2023, the share of the population aged 65 years and above in Seoul, South Korea reached around **** percent of Seoul's population, up from about **** percent in the previous year. The share of the elderly in Seoul has steadily increased throughout the surveyed period.

Korea Population: Male: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 3,593,873.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3,629,413.000 Person for 2016. Korea Population: Male: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 5,725,560.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,985,286.000 Person in 1972 and a record low of 3,593,873.000 Person in 2017. Korea Population: Male: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

South Korea Patient Monitoring Market size was valued at USD 1.0 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.70 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.90% from 2024 to 2031.

Key Market Drivers:

Demand for Healthcare Services: The rising need for healthcare services due to an aging population is expected to drive the demand for advanced patient monitoring solutions. It is anticipated that more healthcare facilities will adopt monitoring systems to ensure timely and efficient care for elderly patients. According to Statistics Korea, the elderly population (aged 65 and above) reached 17.5% of the total population in 2022 and is projected to reach 20.6% by 2025.

Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The growing incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and respiratory disorders is likely to increase the demand for continuous monitoring solutions.

The historical and future estimated values of the aging index for countries such as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain.

Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 72.612 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 72.913 % for 2016. Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 68.287 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 73.355 % in 2013 and a record low of 52.795 % in 1962. Korea Population: as % of Total: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population between the ages 15 to 64 as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

The South Korean patient monitoring market, valued at approximately $1.07 billion in 2025, exhibits robust growth potential, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.87% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. An aging population necessitates increased healthcare infrastructure and advanced monitoring technologies to manage chronic diseases effectively. Rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and respiratory illnesses further drives demand for sophisticated patient monitoring equipment in hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions, particularly in home healthcare settings, contributes significantly to market expansion. Technological advancements, such as miniaturization of devices, improved accuracy and integration with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), and the development of AI-powered diagnostic tools, also play a crucial role in shaping market dynamics. Competitive pressures among established players like GE Healthcare, Philips, and Medtronic, along with the emergence of innovative startups, foster a dynamic and innovative market landscape. However, the market's growth is not without challenges. High costs associated with advanced patient monitoring technologies, particularly those utilizing cutting-edge AI and cloud-based solutions, can limit accessibility, especially in smaller healthcare facilities. Stringent regulatory approvals and reimbursement policies further pose hurdles for market penetration. Nevertheless, the government's focus on enhancing healthcare infrastructure, coupled with increasing investments in digital health initiatives and rising healthcare expenditure, is expected to mitigate these challenges and sustain the market's overall upward trajectory. The segment comprising hospital and clinic applications is currently the largest, but the home healthcare segment is witnessing the most rapid growth, underpinned by the aforementioned trends in telehealth adoption and patient preference for convenient at-home care. Recent developments include: In August 2022, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety granted clearance to VUNO, a medical artificial intelligence company, for its ECG device, Hativ Pro, a portable medical device that measures a user's heart rate and sends this data through a connected mobile phone app., In August 2022, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed an electronic tattoo ink made of liquid metal and carbon nanotubes that functions as a bioelectrode. The tattoo is hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) device or another biosensor, that can send a readout of a patient's heart rate and other vital signs such as glucose and lactate to a monitor.. Key drivers for this market are: Rising Burden of Chronic Diseases due to Lifestyle Changes, Growing Preference for Home and Remote Monitoring. Potential restraints include: Rising Burden of Chronic Diseases due to Lifestyle Changes, Growing Preference for Home and Remote Monitoring. Notable trends are: Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Segment Expects to Register a High CAGR in the South Korea Patient Monitoring Market Over the Forecast Period.

korea - Working Age Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea was 22302920.00000 Persons in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, korea - Working Age Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 24523430.00000 in July of 2009 and a record low of 21651190.00000 in June of 1999. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for korea - Working Age Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.