Daejeon’s population has rebounded for the first time in 12 years. The increase in population was driven by an influx of young people. On the 5th, Daejeon City announced that, according to an analysis of the resident registration population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the total population of Daejeon was recorded at 1,440,729 at the end of last year. This is an increase of 1,527 compared to the previous year’s 1,439,157.
The population of Daejeon had been on the decline since peaking at 1,532,811 in 2013. Last year’s population growth is attributed to net population inflow. According to relocation statistics, 80,173 people moved to Daejeon from other regions last year, while 73,339 people left Daejeon for other regions. The net inflow, after subtracting those who left, was 2,834.
Among the inflow population, there was a noticeable number of young individuals. By age group, those in their 20s accounted for 39.5% of the incoming population, and those in their 30s made up 20%, meaning that people in their 20s and 30s comprised 60% of the total inflow.
As for the reasons for moving, job-related factors such as employment and business were the most common, at 36.9%. This was followed by marriage, forming new households, or joining existing ones (24.8%), education (16%), and housing (12.5%).
Lee Jang-woo, the mayor of Daejeon, stated, “We will increase the inflow of residents through sustainable industry-based population policies that organically connect quality job creation, stable housing environments, education, and care.”