Demographic development in South Korea in the final decades of the 21st century saw rapid change across its society. In South Korea, the average age of the population rose from below 20 years in the late-70s to around 45 years today, and it is projected to rise to over 62 years in 2074. With one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, population aging is one of the largest challenges facing South Korea today. If these projections come true, then South Korea is on course to soon have a smaller working-age population than its combined child and elderly populations. Recent years have shown population aging to be a compounding issue that exacerbates itself - young people often become responsible for providing care for elderly relatives, straining time and financial resources and dissuading many from having their own children. The state must also invest much more money into elderly care and healthcare, often redistributing resources that were previously invested in childcare and education. Although the state (and even some private companies) are now offering financial incentives for couples to have children, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to reverse years of rapid population aging and declining fertility rates.

This statistic shows the leading countries with the highest projected median age in 2050. By 2050, the Republic of Korea is projected to have the population with the highest median age, at 56.5 years.

This dataset is about countries in Korea per year, featuring 3 columns: country, date, and median age. The preview is ordered by date (descending).

In 2023, the median age at which South Korean women married for the first time was 31.45 years, while for men it was 33.97 years. The average age of both men and women marrying for the first time in South Korea has steadily risen in recent years, reaching an all-time high in 2023. Shifting attitudes towards marriage The number of marriages in South Korea has been consistently declining. While the overall decrease in population may play a role, the most significant factor is the societal shift in the perception of marriage. According to a survey, nearly half of South Koreans consider marriage an option rather than a necessity. Some of the main reasons South Koreans choose to remain unmarried include concerns about raising children, high wedding expenses, and worries about their careers. Demographic implications As more South Koreans choose to marry later in life or not at all, this trend is having a significant impact on the country's demographic landscape. Declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy present challenges for the nation's future, particularly concerning economic productivity and growth.

39,0 (years) in 2013.

This scatter chart displays median age (year) against GDP (current US$) and is filtered where the country is Korea. The data is about countries per year.

Korea HS: OH: Average Age of Household Head data was reported at 58.400 Year in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 58.450 Year for Jun 2018. Korea HS: OH: Average Age of Household Head data is updated quarterly, averaging 53.490 Year from Mar 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.670 Year in Mar 2018 and a record low of 48.770 Year in Sep 2003. Korea HS: OH: Average Age of Household Head data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H052: Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HS): Other Household: Nominal.

This scatter chart displays median age (year) against tax revenue (% of GDP) and is filtered where the country is Korea. The data is about countries per year.

In 2022, the average age of mothers giving birth to their first child in South Korea was 32.84 years. The average age at childbirth in South Korea has risen steadily in recent decades.

Korea HS: AH: 1 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data was reported at 62.500 Year in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 63.390 Year for Mar 2018. Korea HS: AH: 1 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data is updated quarterly, averaging 56.555 Year from Mar 2003 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63.390 Year in Mar 2018 and a record low of 50.960 Year in Sep 2003. Korea HS: AH: 1 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.H060: Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HS): by Income Quintile: All Household.

Korea HS: AS: Average Age of Household Head data was reported at 48.960 Year in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 48.410 Year for Mar 2018. Korea HS: AS: Average Age of Household Head data is updated quarterly, averaging 45.035 Year from Mar 2003 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48.960 Year in Jun 2018 and a record low of 41.810 Year in Mar 2003. Korea HS: AS: Average Age of Household Head data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.H044: Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HS): All Salary and Wage Earner: Nominal.

This scatter chart displays median age (year) against health expenditure per capita (current US$) and is filtered where the country is Korea. The data is about countries per year.

South Korea HS: UW: 4 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data was reported at 46.090 Year in 2017. South Korea HS: UW: 4 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data is updated yearly, averaging 46.090 Year from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. South Korea HS: UW: 4 Quintile: Average Age of Household Head data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H063: Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HS): by Income Quintile: Urban Salary and Wage Earner.

40.8 (years) in 2013.

36.0 (years) in 2013.

In 2023, the average age of employees in South Korea was 43.8 years. The average age of South Korean employees has increased over the past decades.

South Korea Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 1.100 Ratio in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.100 Ratio for 2018. South Korea Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 1.650 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.800 Ratio in 1995 and a record low of 1.100 Ratio in 2019. South Korea Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 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: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 15-19 years of age expressed per 1,000 adolescents age 15, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Korea Average: AH: 30~39: Net Worth data was reported at 217,690.000 KRW th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 198,530.000 KRW th for 2016. Korea Average: AH: 30~39: Net Worth data is updated yearly, averaging 181,560.000 KRW th from Mar 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 217,690.000 KRW th in 2017 and a record low of 157,160.000 KRW th in 2010. Korea Average: AH: 30~39: Net Worth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H078: SHFLC: Household Assets, Liabilities & Income By Age Groups of Households Head (10Age).

In 2025, the total population of South Korea is projected to be around 51.68 million. In thirty years, the number of people aged 15 to 64 is estimated to decrease by one-third, while the number of older adults is anticipated to more than double. Additionally, the overall population is expected to decline by around six million people by that time. Declining birth rate Several factors are contributing to the expected demographic changes in South Korea. Firstly, the birth rate has been declining for years. As of 2024, South Korea had the lowest fertility rate in the world. This trend continues despite the efforts of successive governments to encourage young people to have children. An increasing number of South Korean women are prioritizing their careers, often choosing to focus on work rather than starting a family at a young age. While the employment rate for South Korean women is still lower than that of men, it has steadily risen over the past decade. Increase in life expectancy Secondly, life expectancy in South Korea has steadily increased due to improved living standards and healthcare. The average life expectancy at birth for South Koreans has risen from less than 75 years to almost 83 years over the past twenty years. As a result, the proportion of people aged 65 and older has grown from less than 11 percent to around 18 percent in the last decade.

South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data was reported at 42,010,872.566 Person in 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 42,025,890.729 Person for 2025. South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data is updated yearly, averaging 32,663,722.033 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2026, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42,057,808.031 Person in 2024 and a record low of 14,586,439.479 Person in 1960. South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.OECD.EO: Labour Force: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual. POP1574 - Working-age population, age 15-74 Population data are based on data reported to the OECD Statistics Directorate by member countries via an annual national accounts questionnaire. For the projection period, series are extended using Eurostat projections (EUROPOP2023) for European countries, and United Nations (WPP2022) for other countries. The data is further adjusted by the OECD.