Age Dependency Gap Among Gyeonggi Cities and Counties Exceeds 5-Fold

The aging index, which represents the ratio of the elderly population (ages 65 and above) relative to the youth population (under 14 years old), shows variations as much as five times greater across different cities and counties within Gyeonggi Province.

According to Rep. Seo Young-seok of the Hannara Party at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on the 20th, an analysis of the aging index trends across Gyeonggi cities and counties over the past three years showed that Yangpyeong County had the highest aging index last year at 113.44%, followed by Yeoncheon County (107.62%) and Gapyeong County (107%).

Meanwhile, Siheung had the lowest at 21.79%, while Osan (22.32%), Ansan (23.3%), and Suwon (26.93%) also showed relatively low rates.

As a result, the aging index gap between Yangpyeong County and Siheung reached 5.2 times, demonstrating a serious urban-rural disparity.

Looking at year-over-year trends, Yeoncheon County saw its aging index rise sharply from 89.77% in 2004 to 107.62% last year, Gapyeong County increased from 91.91% to 107%, and Yangpyeong County rose from 97.78% to 113.44%.

However, Hwaseong, which experienced significant youth migration due to new city development projects, saw its aging index decrease from 40.48% in 2004 to 40.22% last year, while Paju saw only a slight increase from 49.29% to 50.34%.

Additionally, the elderly support ratio for the Gyeonggi region—which represents the proportion of the population aged 65 and above that the working-age population (15–64 years old) must support—surpassed 10% for the first time, increasing from 9.53% in 2004 to 10.29% last year.

By region, Ansan (7.33%) has 14 working-age adults supporting each elderly person, while Yeoncheon County (24.78%) has 4 working-age people supporting each elderly person, a gap of 3.5 times.

Rep. Seo Young-seok stated, "With the elderly population in Gyeonggi Province continuing to increase and the elderly support ratio surpassing 10% for the first time, urgent measures are needed as the province enters a full-fledged aging society."