Population of Innovation City Reaches 87% of Planned Population... Average Age 34.7 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] It has been revealed that the population of innovation cities has reached 87% of the planned population this year. In particular, the average age in innovation cities was found to be 34.7 years, which is significantly younger compared to the national average in South Korea.

According to the "2022 First Half Innovation City Residential Environment Statistical Survey Results" announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 26th, the population of innovation cities as of the end of June this year was 232,632 (87.1% of the planned population), an increase of 58,355 (33.5%) compared to the end of 2017 (174,277). Compared to the end of June last year, it increased by 3,231 (1.5%). In particular, the population increase over the past year by innovation city was highest in the order of △Gwangju-Jeonnam 768, △Chungbuk 716, and △Gyeongnam 634.

The average age in innovation cities was 34.7 years, which is much younger than the national average of 43.3 years. Notably, the population under 9 years old in innovation cities accounted for 15.5%, about twice the national average of 7.5%.

The family accompaniment and single-person household migration rate of relocated public institution employees was 67.7% (55.7% based on married individuals), showing a continuous increase since 2017. The family accompaniment and single-person household migration rate in innovation cities increased by 9.6 percentage points compared to the end of 2017, and by 1.2 percentage points compared to one year ago. By innovation city, migration rates were highest in Busan at 81.2%, Jeju at 78.9%, and Jeonbuk at 75.6%.

A total of 84,328 apartment units were supplied, which is an increase of 19,222 units (22.8%) compared to the end of 2017.

There are a total of 48 schools including elementary, middle, and high schools, 42 kindergartens, 273 daycare centers, and 8,012 convenience facilities such as hospitals and marts currently in operation. Additionally, to provide various leisure activities for child care and family rest spaces, specialized children and family life SOC facilities have been under construction since 2021, with completion targeted for 2023.

Construction of complex innovation centers that integrate cultural, sports, welfare facilities, and startup support spaces is underway across all 10 innovation cities. The center in Wanju, Jeonbuk was completed in January 2021, and most of the others are under construction, with seven locations including Ulsan and Gangwon expected to be completed this year.

The government is promoting collaborative projects linked to relocated public institutions that combine regional strategic industries and public institution capabilities to improve residential conditions through the development of regionally specialized industries in innovation cities, aiming to revitalize regional growth hubs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.