Daejeon's population rebounded for the first time in 12 years. An increase in people moving in, centered on young adults, led to population growth.
Daejeon city said on Jan. 5 that an analysis of resident registration population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety showed the city's total population stood at 1,440,729 at the end of last year. Daejeon's population last year increased by 1,527 from the previous year (1,439,157).
It is the first increase in Daejeon's population in 12 years. Daejeon's population peaked at 1,532,811 in 2013 and has steadily declined since.
Last year's population increase was driven by net in-migration. According to move-in and move-out statistics, 80,173 people moved to Daejeon from other provinces last year, while 7,339 moved out to other provinces. Net in-migration—move-ins minus move-outs—was 2,834.
Among those who moved in, young adults were particularly numerous. By age group, people in their 20s accounted for 39.5% of move-ins, and those in their 30s made up 20%, meaning people in their 20s and 30s accounted for 60% of the total.
By reason for moving in, job-related factors such as employment and business were the most common at 36.9%. They were followed by marriage, setting up a separate household, or merging households (24.8%), education (16%), and dwellings (12.5%).
Lee Jang-woo, the Daejeon mayor, said, "We will increase the inflow of daytime population with population policies based on a sustainable industrial foundation in which the creation of quality jobs, a stable residential environment, education, and care are organically connected."