SPECIAL REPORTS

Where is Population Growth Highest? South Korea's 2026 Population Map Led by Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong, and Pyeongtaek

Driven by large-scale redevelopment and reconstruction apartment moves, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, saw its population rebound by approximately 8.5%, rising from 277,281 in October 2024 to 300,826 in February 2026, recovering the 300,000 mark after about five years. Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek in southern Gyeonggi Province posted population growth rates of 12.5% and 9.6% respectively over the past five years, backed by massive investments from semiconductor giants like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, with a notable influx of the 3040 generation. Several other cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, including Uiwang, showed population growth driven by the creation of new residential districts. Conversely, the administrative capital Sejong experienced three consecutive months of population decline from December 2025 to February 2026, turning into a net outflow due to factors such as the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Separately from domestic migration, the number of foreign nationals residing in South Korea surpassed 2.8 million for the first time in October 2025, setting a new all-time high.