Population is decreasing, prices are soaring...10 Years of Change in Jeju Statistics

[Anchor]
As the low birth rate and aging population become serious in Jeju Island, the natural decline of the population continues, and prices have risen significantly, increasing the burden on the common people.

Statistics show what changes Jeju Island has undergone in each field over the past decade.

I'm reporter Kim Jiwoo of KCTV Jeju Broadcasting.

[Reporter]
Last year, Jeju's resident registration population was 675,000, an increase of 13.7% compared to 2013, 10 years ago.

During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 65 or older increased from 13.4% to 17.9%, making the aging population clear.

In the midst of the low birth rate and aging population, the number of deaths per year has exceeded the number of births since 2021, resulting in a natural decline in the population.

There were also mixed feelings of joy and sorrow between industries.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing employment fell 17.1% over a decade, with the primary industry declining, while the service, wholesale and retail, and lodging restaurant industries increased by 40% on the back of growth in the tourism industry.

The GRDP per provincial resident was 31 million won in 2022, up 27.2% from 2013.

As of last year, the average household asset was 524 million won, doubling from 2013, and debt increased 69% to 75 million won.

Prices have risen 21% in a decade, with alcohol and tobacco the highest percentage gain of 56.9% by spending purpose, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages, increasing the burden on table prices.

At the same time, food and lodging prices, which are directly related to eating out expenses, also rose by 36.9%.

On the other hand, telecommunication costs were the only ones that fell from 10 years ago, according to the survey.

[Park Hye-rim / Jeju Office Officer, Statistics Korea: Jeju's population increased compared to 2013, but the population movement turned to a net outflow in 2023. The number of tourists increased 48.7% for Koreans and 69.6% for foreigners compared to a decade ago.]

The statistics containing the changes of Jeju over the past decade are published every year and are used as basic data for regional policy establishment.

I'm Kim Jiwoo from KCTV News.

Photographer: Hyun Kwang-hoon
Design: Song Sang-yoon