Gwangju and Jeonnam See Production and Export Growth in Q1 This Year... Population Outflow and Employment Rate Decline Persist

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Production and exports in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions increased in the first quarter of this year.

However, the employment rate decline and net population outflow continued.

According to the Honam Regional Statistics Office on the 17th, industrial production in the Gwangju area increased by 7.9% compared to the same period last year, driven by increased production of electrical equipment and tobacco.

In retail sales, sales of passenger cars and fuel retail stores increased by 5.1%, leading the growth trend.

Exports surged by 17.6%, boosted by process equipment and controllers, revitalizing the market.

Construction orders sharply declined by 49.9% compared to a year ago due to a significant drop in building and civil engineering orders.

The employment rate fell by 1.3 percentage points, especially among those aged 20 and under.

The population saw a net outflow of 3,294 people, with the 20s age group (1,048 people) and 50s age group (818 people) leading the outflow.

In the Jeonnam region, industrial production in the first quarter increased by 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year, driven by increased production of chemical products and primary metals.

Retail sales rose by 4.1%, led by passenger cars and fuel retail stores.

Exports increased by 22.3%, supported by strong exports of steel plates and other products.

Construction orders decreased by 24% as both building and civil engineering orders declined simultaneously.

The employment rate showed a similar pattern to Gwangju, falling by 0.6 percentage points mainly among those aged 20 and under.

The population experienced a net outflow of 1,028 people.

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