Suwon's Birth Rate Down 20% in 3 Years, Elderly Population Up 6% Annually

While Suwon's population continues to grow each year, the number of newborns is declining annually.

This decrease in newborns in Suwon contrasts sharply with South Korea's national birth rate, which had declined continuously for six years since 2000 but has begun to increase for the first time in six years. Experts point out that Suwon must pay special attention to changes in its population composition and implement proactive birth promotion policies.

According to Suwon City, the population grew from 1,023,875 in 2002 to 1,040,223 in 2003. The population has continued to grow steadily, reaching 1,082,271 as of the end of 2006.

The population increased by 583,396 over four years. The average annual population growth rate reaches 1.4%.

Experts note that this population increase is abnormal growth, stemming from various development projects and the region's special characteristics as part of the Seoul metropolitan area.

An official from Suwon City's Urban Planning Division explained, "The increase in inflowing population is due to active apartment complex reconstruction in the process of urban development projects."

In contrast, Suwon's number of newborns decreased from 13,572 in 2003 to 12,665 in 2004, and 11,021 in 2005. Over three years, the figure decreased by approximately 2,551, or about 20%. This trend is expected to continue unless there are significant changes in circumstances.

Population experts say that the decline in newborns is serious, as it indicates a long-term decrease in the economically active population and the onset of premature aging of society in Suwon as a whole.

In fact, Suwon's elderly population (age 65 and over) increased from 50,309 in 2003 to 53,227 in 2004, 56,549 in 2005, and 61,223 in 2006, with an average growth rate exceeding 6% annually and an increasing growth rate each year.

The elderly population ratio, which accounted for 4.64% of the city's total population in 2003, rose to 5.73% in 2006, indicating that aging is progressing rapidly.

Meanwhile, according to Statistics Korea's '2006 Birth Statistics,' the total fertility rate in 2006 (the average number of children expected to be born to a woman during her reproductive years, ages 15-49) was approximately 1.13, an increase of 0.05 from 1.08 in 2005.

The total fertility rate, which had shown a declining trend each year, reached its lowest at 1.08 in 2005 before rebounding with an increase for the first time in three years.

Professor Park Moon-sung, head of the Pediatric and Neonatal Department at Ajou University, commented, "A simple statistical decline in the birth rate is not a major problem. What is more important is that the consciousness of women of childbearing age is changing, and the city must implement proactive birth promotion policies accordingly."