As of June, the living population in Korea's depopulation regions was estimated at about 27.2 million. Of that, the registered population was 4.86 million and the staying population was 22.34 million. This means that the number of people visiting these areas from outside for short periods was 4.6 times higher than the number actually residing there.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) on the 9th said it released the results of "the living population in depopulation regions for the second quarter of 2025."
The living population is a concept that includes not only the resident population living in an area but also people who stay temporarily and bring vitality. Under the Special Act on Support for Depopulation Regions, the living population of 89 depopulation regions has been calculated since last year.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) expanded the scope from depopulation regions to depopulation areas of interest starting in the second quarter. Accordingly, in the announcement that day, living population data for 18 depopulation areas of interest, including Geumjeong District in Busan, Iksan in North Jeolla, Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang, was released for the first time.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), the total living population of depopulation regions was about 25.23 million in April, about 31.36 million in May, and about 27.2 million in June. Compared with the first quarter, it increased overall, but compared with the same period last year, only May increased.
By region, six areas—Ongjin in Incheon, Gapyeong in Gyeonggi, Yangyang, Goseong and Pyeongchang in Gangwon, and Taean in South Chungcheong—was found to have a staying population more than 10 times the registered population on a quarterly average basis.
The regions with the largest increase in living population from the same period last year, based on May, were Gapyeong in Gyeonggi, Dong District in Busan, Gochang in North Jeolla, and Gongju and Taean in South Chungcheong, in that order.
Looking at staying characteristics, the average length of stay in June was 3.2 days, and the average staying time was 11.7 hours. The share of residents from other cities and provinces was 68.5%.
The average card spending per person among the staying population in June was 119,000 won, and for April and May it was 124,000 won and 117,000 won, respectively.
Vice Minister Kim Min-jae of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) said, "We will continue to provide more useful data and analysis to support local governments in establishing effective regional revitalization policies."