A presidential committee on ageing society and population on Friday said the government will come up with a demographic policy blueprint in the near future, as South Korea has formally become a &ldquo;super-aged&rdquo; society.
The remark came after the government data showed the number of South Koreans aged 65 or older stood at 10.24 million, accounting for 20% of the country&rsquo;s total population of 51.22 million, Yonhap news agency reported.
The United Nations classifies countries where more than 7% of the population is 65 or older as an aging society, those with over 14% as an aged society, and those with more than 20% as a super-aged society.
&ldquo;Considering the unprecedented and faster-than-expected pace of aging, we do not have much time,&rdquo; said Joo Hyung-hwan, vice chairman of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy.
Joo added the government will promptly come up with actions so that the country &ldquo;does not miss the timing.&rdquo;
The vice chairman said it was noteworthy that the country has been showing signs of a recovery in its critically low birth rate.
The number of babies born in South Korea increased at the fastest rate in 14 years in October.
A total of 21,398 babies were born in October, up 13.4% from the 18,878 newborns a year earlier. It marked the largest on-year increase since November 2010, when the number of childbirths grew by 17.5%.
&ldquo;The total fertility rate for this year is expected to reach 0.74, far above the previous estimate of 0.68,&rdquo; Joo said, noting such figures are a &ldquo;hopeful signal&rdquo; for the country&rsquo;s demographic challenges.
&mdash;IANS

South Koreans aged 65 or older make up 20% of the country’s total population

Govt to draft blueprint as seniors hit 20% of population; birth rate shows signs of recovery

S Korea Plans Policy for ‘Super-Aged’ Society

Govt to draft blueprint as seniors hit 20% of population; birth rate shows signs of recovery

December 27, 2024 | 10:43 IST