Charted: South Korea’s Aging Population
Key Takeaways
- Over 150 years, South Korea’s age structure shifts from youth-heavy to senior-dominated.
- By 2100, nearly 40% of the population is projected to be 65 or older.
In 1950, South Korea’s population was overwhelmingly young. By 2100, nearly four in ten residents are projected to be 65 or older.
This visualization, created by Oscar Leo of DataCanvas using data from the UN World Population Prospects 2024, shows how South Korea’s age distribution evolves year by year across a 150-year span.
The result is one of the most dramatic demographic transformations ever recorded in a developed economy.
Age Distribution by Year (1950-2100P)
Below we can see how the population distribution changes each year between 1950 and the 2100 projection.
| Year | 0–9 | 10–19 | 20–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 | 60–69 | 70–79 | 80–89 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.9% | 22.3% | 15.1% | 12.0% | 9.1% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| 1951 | 29.5% | 23.1% | 14.9% | 11.9% | 9.1% | 6.4% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| 1952 | 29.1% | 23.7% | 14.9% | 11.9% | 9.2% | 6.2% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1953 | 28.8% | 23.9% | 14.9% | 12.0% | 9.2% | 6.1% | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1954 | 28.8% | 23.8% | 15.1% | 12.1% | 9.2% | 6.0% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| 1955 | 28.9% | 23.4% | 15.4% | 12.1% | 9.2% | 5.9% | 3.8% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| 1956 | 29.1% | 23.1% | 15.7% | 12.1% | 9.1% | 5.8% | 3.8% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| 1957 | 29.3% | 22.6% | 16.1% | 12.0% | 9.0% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.2% |
| 1958 | 29.7% | 21.9% | 16.6% | 11.9% | 8.9% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.2% |
| 1959 | 30.3% | 21.2% | 16.9% | 11.8% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.2% |
| 1960 | 30.8% | 20.6% | 17.2% | 11.7% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.6% | 1.4% | 0.2% |
| 1961 | 31.4% | 20.1% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| 1962 | 31.9% | 19.8% | 17.3% | 11.5% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| 1963 | 32.1% | 19.8% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| 1964 | 32.2% | 20.0% | 16.7% | 11.5% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| 1965 | 31.9% | 20.6% | 16.3% | 11.7% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1966 | 31.4% | 21.3% | 16.0% | 11.9% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| 1967 | 30.9% | 21.8% | 15.8% | 12.1% | 8.3% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| 1968 | 30.2% | 22.4% | 15.6% | 12.3% | 8.4% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1969 | 29.3% | 23.1% | 15.5% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1970 | 28.5% | 23.8% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 8.5% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| 1971 | 27.7% | 24.4% | 15.2% | 12.7% | 8.5% | 5.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1972 | 27.1% | 24.7% | 15.2% | 12.9% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1973 | 26.5% | 25.0% | 15.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% | 6.0% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1974 | 26.0% | 25.0% | 15.6% | 12.9% | 8.9% | 6.0% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| 1975 | 25.4% | 24.9% | 16.1% | 12.7% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| 1976 | 24.8% | 24.7% | 16.6% | 12.6% | 9.4% | 6.2% | 3.6% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1977 | 24.3% | 24.5% | 17.0% | 12.6% | 9.6% | 6.2% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1978 | 23.7% | 24.1% | 17.6% | 12.6% | 9.9% | 6.3% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1979 | 23.0% | 23.6% | 18.4% | 12.6% | 10.1% | 6.4% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1980 | 22.2% | 23.3% | 19.1% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 6.5% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| 1981 | 21.5% | 23.0% | 19.7% | 12.6% | 10.5% | 6.5% | 3.9% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| 1982 | 20.9% | 22.8% | 20.2% | 12.7% | 10.6% | 6.6% | 4.0% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| 1983 | 20.2% | 22.5% | 20.6% | 12.8% | 10.7% | 6.7% | 4.0% | 1.9% | 0.5% |
| 1984 | 19.7% | 22.1% | 20.9% | 13.2% | 10.6% | 6.9% | 4.1% | 1.9% | 0.5% |
| 1985 | 19.1% | 21.8% | 21.0% | 13.8% | 10.5% | 7.1% | 4.2% | 2.0% | 0.5% |
| 1986 | 18.6% | 21.5% | 20.8% | 14.4% | 10.5% | 7.4% | 4.3% | 2.0% | 0.5% |
| 1987 | 18.2% | 21.1% | 20.7% | 14.9% | 10.6% | 7.6% | 4.3% | 2.1% | 0.6% |
| 1988 | 17.7% | 20.6% | 20.6% | 15.4% | 10.6% | 7.8% | 4.4% | 2.1% | 0.6% |
| 1989 | 17.3% | 20.0% | 20.6% | 16.1% | 10.7% | 8.0% | 4.5% | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| 1990 | 16.7% | 19.5% | 20.5% | 16.9% | 10.7% | 8.2% | 4.6% | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| 1991 | 16.0% | 19.2% | 20.3% | 17.6% | 10.8% | 8.4% | 4.8% | 2.3% | 0.7% |
| 1992 | 15.4% | 18.8% | 20.0% | 18.2% | 10.9% | 8.7% | 4.9% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
| 1993 | 15.0% | 18.4% | 19.8% | 18.6% | 11.2% | 8.8% | 5.1% | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 14.8% | 17.8% | 19.6% | 18.9% | 11.5% | 8.9% | 5.3% | 2.6% | 0.8% |
| 1995 | 14.7% | 17.2% | 19.4% | 18.9% | 12.1% | 8.8% | 5.5% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| 1996 | 14.6% | 16.7% | 19.1% | 18.8% | 12.6% | 8.8% | 5.8% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| 1997 | 14.6% | 16.3% | 18.7% | 18.7% | 13.1% | 8.9% | 6.0% | 2.8% | 0.9% |
| 1998 | 14.6% | 15.9% | 18.3% | 18.5% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 6.3% | 2.9% | 0.9% |
| 1999 | 14.5% | 15.4% | 17.9% | 18.3% | 14.2% | 9.2% | 6.5% | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| 2000 | 14.3% | 14.9% | 17.7% | 18.2% | 14.8% | 9.2% | 6.7% | 3.2% | 1.0% |
| 2001 | 14.1% | 14.4% | 17.5% | 18.0% | 15.5% | 9.3% | 6.9% | 3.3% | 1.1% |
| 2002 | 13.7% | 14.0% | 17.1% | 18.0% | 16.0% | 9.4% | 7.2% | 3.5% | 1.1% |
| 2003 | 13.1% | 13.9% | 16.8% | 17.8% | 16.5% | 9.7% | 7.3% | 3.7% | 1.2% |
| 2004 | 12.6% | 13.8% | 16.4% | 17.7% | 16.8% | 10.0% | 7.4% | 3.9% | 1.3% |
| 2005 | 12.0% | 13.8% | 16.1% | 17.6% | 17.0% | 10.6% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 1.4% |
| 2006 | 11.4% | 13.9% | 15.8% | 17.4% | 17.0% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 4.4% | 1.5% |
| 2007 | 10.9% | 13.9% | 15.4% | 17.2% | 17.1% | 11.6% | 7.7% | 4.6% | 1.6% |
| 2008 | 10.4% | 13.9% | 15.0% | 17.0% | 17.1% | 12.1% | 7.9% | 4.9% | 1.7% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | 13.9% | 14.6% | 16.7% | 17.1% | 12.7% | 8.0% | 5.1% | 1.8% |
| 2010 | 9.7% | 13.8% | 14.2% | 16.5% | 17.1% | 13.3% | 8.1% | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| 2011 | 9.5% | 13.5% | 13.9% | 16.2% | 17.1% | 14.0% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2.1% |
| 2012 | 9.2% | 13.0% | 13.7% | 16.0% | 17.1% | 14.6% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 2.2% |
| 2013 | 9.1% | 12.4% | 13.5% | 15.8% | 17.1% | 15.2% | 8.7% | 5.9% | 2.4% |
| 2014 | 9.0% | 11.8% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 17.1% | 15.7% | 9.0% | 6.0% | 2.5% |
| 2015 | 8.9% | 11.2% | 13.3% | 15.2% | 17.1% | 16.0% | 9.5% | 6.1% | 2.7% |
| 2016 | 8.8% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 15.0% | 16.9% | 16.2% | 10.1% | 6.2% | 2.9% |
| 2017 | 8.6% | 10.3% | 13.4% | 14.7% | 16.7% | 16.3% | 10.6% | 6.3% | 3.1% |
| 2018 | 8.3% | 9.9% | 13.5% | 14.4% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 11.2% | 6.5% | 3.3% |
| 2019 | 8.1% | 9.6% | 13.5% | 14.1% | 16.1% | 16.6% | 11.7% | 6.7% | 3.6% |
| 2020 | 7.7% | 9.3% | 13.5% | 13.8% | 15.9% | 16.6% | 12.5% | 6.9% | 3.8% |
| 2021 | 7.4% | 9.0% | 13.4% | 13.5% | 15.8% | 16.5% | 13.3% | 7.1% | 4.0% |
| 2022 | 6.9% | 8.9% | 13.1% | 13.3% | 15.6% | 16.6% | 14.0% | 7.2% | 4.3% |
| 2023 | 6.5% | 8.9% | 12.7% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 16.6% | 14.5% | 7.5% | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 6.1% | 8.9% | 12.3% | 13.3% | 15.2% | 16.7% | 14.9% | 7.8% | 4.7% |
| 2025 | 5.8% | 8.9% | 11.9% | 13.4% | 14.9% | 16.7% | 15.2% | 8.3% | 4.9% |
| 2026 | 5.5% | 8.9% | 11.5% | 13.5% | 14.7% | 16.6% | 15.4% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| 2027 | 5.3% | 8.7% | 11.2% | 13.6% | 14.5% | 16.4% | 15.6% | 9.4% | 5.3% |
| 2028 | 5.1% | 8.5% | 10.9% | 13.7% | 14.3% | 16.2% | 15.8% | 9.9% | 5.5% |
| 2029 | 5.0% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 13.7% | 14.1% | 16.0% | 16.0% | 10.5% | 5.8% |
| 2030 | 5.0% | 8.0% | 10.4% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 16.0% | 11.2% | 6.0% |
| 2031 | 5.0% | 7.6% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 15.7% | 16.1% | 12.0% | 6.2% |
| 2032 | 5.0% | 7.2% | 10.3% | 13.2% | 13.4% | 15.6% | 16.2% | 12.6% | 6.5% |
| 2033 | 5.1% | 6.8% | 10.3% | 12.8% | 13.3% | 15.5% | 16.3% | 13.1% | 6.8% |
| 2034 | 5.1% | 6.5% | 10.3% | 12.4% | 13.3% | 15.3% | 16.4% | 13.5% | 7.2% |
| 2035 | 5.1% | 6.2% | 10.3% | 12.0% | 13.5% | 15.1% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 7.6% |
| 2036 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 10.3% | 11.6% | 13.6% | 14.9% | 16.4% | 14.1% | 8.1% |
| 2037 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 10.2% | 11.3% | 13.7% | 14.8% | 16.3% | 14.3% | 8.7% |
| 2038 | 5.1% | 5.5% | 10.0% | 11.0% | 13.8% | 14.6% | 16.1% | 14.6% | 9.2% |
| 2039 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.8% | 10.8% | 13.9% | 14.4% | 16.0% | 14.8% | 9.8% |
| 2040 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 13.9% | 14.2% | 15.9% | 15.0% | 10.5% |
| 2041 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 9.1% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 13.9% | 15.9% | 15.1% | 11.2% |
| 2042 | 5.0% | 5.4% | 8.7% | 10.5% | 13.5% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 15.3% | 11.9% |
| 2043 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 8.3% | 10.5% | 13.1% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| 2044 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 8.0% | 10.5% | 12.8% | 13.9% | 15.6% | 15.7% | 13.0% |
| 2045 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.6% | 10.6% | 12.4% | 14.1% | 15.4% | 15.8% | 13.4% |
| 2046 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.3% | 10.6% | 12.0% | 14.3% | 15.3% | 15.8% | 13.9% |
| 2047 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.1% | 10.5% | 11.7% | 14.5% | 15.3% | 15.8% | 14.4% |
| 2048 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 10.4% | 11.5% | 14.6% | 15.2% | 15.7% | 15.0% |
| 2049 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 6.9% | 10.1% | 11.3% | 14.7% | 15.0% | 15.6% | 15.5% |
| 2050 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 6.9% | 9.9% | 11.1% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 15.7% | 16.1% |
| 2051 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 9.5% | 11.0% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 15.7% | 16.7% |
| 2052 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 9.1% | 11.0% | 14.5% | 14.6% | 15.8% | 17.2% |
| 2053 | 5.1% | 5.7% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 11.1% | 14.2% | 14.6% | 15.8% | 17.7% |
| 2054 | 5.0% | 5.7% | 7.2% | 8.4% | 11.2% | 13.8% | 14.8% | 15.7% | 18.1% |
| 2055 | 4.9% | 5.7% | 7.3% | 8.1% | 11.3% | 13.5% | 15.1% | 15.7% | 18.5% |
| 2056 | 4.9% | 5.8% | 7.3% | 7.8% | 11.4% | 13.1% | 15.4% | 15.6% | 18.7% |
| 2057 | 4.8% | 5.8% | 7.4% | 7.5% | 11.4% | 12.8% | 15.7% | 15.6% | 19.0% |
| 2058 | 4.7% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 11.2% | 12.6% | 15.9% | 15.6% | 19.2% |
| 2059 | 4.6% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 11.0% | 12.5% | 16.1% | 15.5% | 19.5% |
| 2060 | 4.6% | 5.9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 16.2% | 15.4% | 19.9% |
| 2061 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 10.4% | 12.2% | 16.3% | 15.3% | 20.4% |
| 2062 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.6% | 10.0% | 12.4% | 16.0% | 15.3% | 20.8% |
| 2063 | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.5% | 7.7% | 9.6% | 12.5% | 15.7% | 15.5% | 21.1% |
| 2064 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 7.6% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 15.7% | 21.4% |
| 2065 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 7.7% | 7.9% | 8.8% | 12.8% | 15.0% | 16.1% | 21.5% |
| 2066 | 4.6% | 5.7% | 7.7% | 8.0% | 8.5% | 12.9% | 14.7% | 16.4% | 21.6% |
| 2067 | 4.6% | 5.6% | 7.8% | 8.0% | 8.3% | 12.9% | 14.4% | 16.8% | 21.7% |
| 2068 | 4.7% | 5.5% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.7% | 14.2% | 17.1% | 21.8% |
| 2069 | 4.7% | 5.4% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 17.3% | 21.9% |
| 2070 | 4.8% | 5.4% | 8.0% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 12.2% | 13.9% | 17.5% | 22.1% |
| 2071 | 4.8% | 5.3% | 8.0% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 11.8% | 13.8% | 17.5% | 22.3% |
| 2072 | 4.9% | 5.3% | 8.0% | 8.2% | 8.3% | 11.4% | 14.0% | 17.3% | 22.7% |
| 2073 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 7.9% | 8.3% | 8.5% | 10.9% | 14.1% | 17.0% | 23.1% |
| 2074 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 7.9% | 8.3% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 14.3% | 16.7% | 23.5% |
| 2075 | 5.1% | 5.3% | 7.8% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 10.0% | 14.4% | 16.3% | 23.9% |
| 2076 | 5.1% | 5.4% | 7.7% | 8.5% | 8.8% | 9.7% | 14.6% | 15.9% | 24.3% |
| 2077 | 5.2% | 5.4% | 7.6% | 8.6% | 8.9% | 9.4% | 14.6% | 15.7% | 24.7% |
| 2078 | 5.3% | 5.5% | 7.5% | 8.7% | 8.9% | 9.3% | 14.4% | 15.5% | 25.0% |
| 2079 | 5.3% | 5.6% | 7.4% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 9.2% | 14.2% | 15.3% | 25.3% |
| 2080 | 5.4% | 5.6% | 7.3% | 8.8% | 9.0% | 9.2% | 13.9% | 15.2% | 25.6% |
| 2081 | 5.4% | 5.7% | 7.3% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 9.4% | 13.4% | 15.1% | 25.9% |
| 2082 | 5.5% | 5.8% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 9.5% | 12.9% | 15.3% | 26.0% |
| 2083 | 5.5% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 8.7% | 9.2% | 9.6% | 12.4% | 15.5% | 26.0% |
| 2084 | 5.5% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 8.6% | 9.3% | 9.8% | 11.9% | 15.7% | 26.0% |
| 2085 | 5.5% | 6.0% | 7.3% | 8.6% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 15.9% | 26.0% |
| 2086 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 7.3% | 8.4% | 9.4% | 10.1% | 11.0% | 16.1% | 26.0% |
| 2087 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 7.4% | 8.3% | 9.5% | 10.1% | 10.7% | 16.1% | 26.1% |
| 2088 | 5.6% | 6.2% | 7.5% | 8.2% | 9.6% | 10.2% | 10.5% | 15.9% | 26.2% |
| 2089 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 7.6% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 10.5% | 15.7% | 26.3% |
| 2090 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 7.6% | 8.0% | 9.8% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 15.4% | 26.5% |
| 2091 | 5.5% | 6.4% | 7.7% | 8.0% | 9.8% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 14.9% | 26.7% |
| 2092 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.8% | 7.9% | 9.8% | 10.4% | 10.9% | 14.3% | 26.9% |
| 2093 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 10.5% | 11.1% | 13.7% | 27.1% |
| 2094 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 8.0% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 13.2% | 27.3% |
| 2095 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 8.0% | 9.6% | 10.7% | 11.4% | 12.7% | 27.5% |
| 2096 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 8.0% | 9.4% | 10.8% | 11.5% | 12.3% | 27.7% |
| 2097 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.2% | 8.1% | 9.3% | 11.0% | 11.6% | 11.9% | 27.8% |
| 2098 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 8.3% | 8.2% | 9.1% | 11.1% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 27.7% |
| 2099 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 8.4% | 8.3% | 9.0% | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11.7% | 27.6% |
| 2100 | 5.6% | 6.5% | 8.5% | 8.4% | 8.9% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 27.3% |
The shift is stark. In 1960, children aged 0–9 made up over 30% of the population.
By 2100, that figure is projected to fall to just 5.5%, while those aged 80 and over surge into double digits.
From Youthful Boom to Demographic Bust
In the decades following the Korean War, South Korea had a classic population pyramid: a wide base of young people and relatively few elderly citizens. In 1970, nearly 29% of the population was under 10 years old.
Fast forward to today, and the structure has inverted. Persistently low fertility—frequently cited as the lowest in the world—has led to a shrinking base of young people. This trend is frequently described as a “demographic meltdown,” driven by high housing costs, intense education pressures, and shifting social norms.
An Economy Growing Older
By 2050, people aged 60 and older are projected to account for roughly 40% of the population. The 80–89 and 90+ cohorts grow especially quickly in the second half of the century.
This has major economic implications. A smaller working-age population must support a rapidly expanding elderly population, pushing up the old-age dependency ratio. As we’ve explored in our breakdown of the top economies by old-age dependency, countries with aging populations face rising pension and healthcare burdens, as well as slower potential growth.
Labor shortages, fiscal strain, and intergenerational inequality are likely to intensify unless offset by higher productivity, immigration, or policy reform.
A Small Baby Bump: A Turning Point?
After years of record-low fertility, South Korea has recently seen a modest increase in births. While still far below replacement level, even a small shift is notable after such a prolonged decline.
Whether this “baby bump” signals a sustained recovery or merely a temporary fluctuation remains to be seen. For now, long-term projections continue to point toward a much older, and smaller, South Korea by the end of the century.