INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
681
RAPID POPULATION AGING AND THE PROBLEM OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN
SOUTH KOREA
Ozodkhon Tulanboeva
Third-year student of Tashkent state university of oriental studies
Annotatsiya:
mamlakatda past tug'ish darajasi va uzoq umr ko'rish kabi omillar aholi strukturasi
o'zgarishlariga olib kelmoqda. Natijada, qariyalar soni ortib bormoqda, bu esa ijtimoiy va
iqtisodiy tizimlarga katta bosim yaratmoqda. Maqolada qariyalar uchun xizmatlar va resurslar
ta'minlashdagi qiyinchiliklar, ijtimoiy izolyatsiya muammolari hamda yosh avlodning
migratsiyasi kabi masalalar tahlil qilinadi.
Kalit so’zlar:
aholi qarishi,qariyalar,uzoq umr ko’rish,iqtisodiy ta’sir,sog’liqni saqlash
tizimi,hukimat siyosaylari,qariyalar uchun resurslar,ijtimoiy xavfsizlik,past tug’ish darajasi.
Аннотация:
такие факторы, как низкая рождаемость и высокая продолжительность
жизни в стране, приводят к изменению структуры населения. В результате увеличивается
число пожилых людей, что оказывает серьёзное давление на социально-экономические
системы. В статье анализируются такие проблемы, как трудности в предоставлении
услуг и ресурсов пожилым людям, проблемы социальной изоляции и миграция молодого
поколения.
Ключевые слова:
старение населения, пожилые люди, продолжительность жизни,
экономические последствия, система здравоохранения, государственная политика,
ресурсы для пожилых людей, социальное обеспечение, низкая рождаемость.
Abstract:
factors such as low fertility and long life expectancy in the country are leading to
changes in the population structure. As a result, the number of elderly people is increasing,
which is putting great pressure on social and economic systems. The article analyzes issues
such as difficulties in providing services and resources for the elderly, problems of social
isolation, and migration of the younger generation.
Key words:
population aging, elderly, longevity, economic impact, health care system,
government policies, resources for the elderly, social security, low fertility.
According to research conducted by the World Bank, South Korea is currently
experiencing a demographic crisis. The country, which has the fourth-largest economy in Asia,
saw its population decline for the first time last year. The research reveals that South Korea’s
population is aging rapidly and birth rates are continuing to fall. Already holding the record for
the world’s lowest birth rate, South Korea saw a further decline in 2023. Despite government
efforts and spending nearly $270 billion to address the issue, the problem persists without any
significant improvement. According to The Guardian, South Korea, with the world’s lowest
fertility rate, reached a new record low in 2023. The country’s population has been shrinking
for the fourth consecutive year. Preliminary data from South Korea’s Statistics Office show that
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
682
the total fertility rate—the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her
lifetime—was 0.72 in 2023. In comparison, it was 0.78 in 2022, 0.81 in 2021, and 0.84 in 2020.
This is far below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman needed to maintain the
current population of 51 million. As of 2018, South Korea was the only member of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with a fertility rate below
1. Additionally, the average age of South Korean women at the birth of their first child is 33.6
years, the highest among OECD member countries.
According to experts’ projections, if the current low birth rate continues, South Korea
— Asia’s fifth-largest economy — could see its population shrink by nearly half, dropping to
around 26.8 million people by the year 2100. Since 2006, the South Korean government has
allocated nearly $270 billion to address the problem of declining birth rates. However, these
measures have not yielded the desired results. Incentives have included financial subsidies for
couples, childcare services, and support for infertility treatments. Couples cite several obstacles
to having more children, including the high cost of raising children, soaring real estate prices,
lack of well-paying jobs, and fierce competition in the education system, according to The
Guardian. Experts also highlight the role of cultural factors, including the difficulties women
face in balancing professional careers with motherhood, and the traditional expectation that
women are primarily responsible for household duties and child-rearing. If the trend of
extremely low fertility continues, South Korea’s population may decline to just 26.8 million by
2100, reinforcing concerns about the country’s long-term demographic and economic
sustainability. South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. In 2020, the fertility
rate was 0.84 children per woman. This situation is linked to young generations increasingly
avoiding marriage and family life due to economic hardships and the rising cost of child-rearing.
At the same time, advancements in healthcare and the promotion of healthier lifestyles have led
to a rise in life expectancy, which reached an average of 83 years in 2021. As a result, the
number of elderly people in South Korea is growing rapidly. Many older adults face social
isolation and loneliness. Changes in family structure, urban migration by younger generations,
and the decline of traditional family values are aggravating this issue. The aging population is
having a negative impact on the economy, as a growing number of elderly individuals puts
increasing pressure on the social welfare system, requiring more resources to care for them.
Elderly people need more healthcare services, which places an additional burden on the
healthcare system. There is an increasing need to develop specialized medical care and
rehabilitation programs for seniors. Many of them rely heavily on the public social security
system, which reduces their economic well-being. To support families and encourage childbirth,
the South Korean government has implemented various programs, including financial support
and parental leave policies. However, further development of social services and rehabilitation
programs for the elderly is essential. Initiatives that promote self-reliance and social
engagement can help integrate the elderly into society. Organizing various activities to
encourage social participation among seniors can reduce their isolation and improve their
quality of life. The issue of an aging population and elderly care in South Korea is a serious
challenge that affects the country’s socioeconomic development. To address this, collaborative
efforts are needed from the government, society, and families. By improving the quality of life
for the elderly and ensuring their integration into the community, South Korea can work toward
overcoming these demographic and social challenges.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 08,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
683
References:
1. OECD (2020). "Aging and Employment Policies: Korea". OECD Publishing.
2. World Bank (2021). "Korea’s Aging Population: Challenges and Opportunities".
3. Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). "Population Statistics".
https://www.gazeta.uz/oz/2024/02/28/south-korea/
