[New Social Geography] Seoul Hangdang 2-dong 'Population Density' That Even Bangladesh Would Envy

Bangladesh Known for the World's Highest Population Density
Compared to Seoul, a Relatively Sparse Population Density
Haengdang 2-dong, Guro 4-dong, Cheongnim-dong Exceed 50,000 People/km²

Editor's Note‘New Social Atlas’ is a series that approaches national statistics with the same curiosity as when looking at the Social Atlas during school days, which provided both information and entertainment. It explores South Korea's past and present through various statistics, including population and area.

When debating the region with the highest population density in the world, Bangladesh in Asia is always mentioned. Especially, its capital Dhaka holds the title of having the highest population density. Depending on the criteria and timing of population statistics, it roughly has a population density of 10,000 to 20,000 people per 1㎢.

People everywhere, crowded with people, a space where the phrase "crushed by people" fits well. Travelers who have visited Dhaka, Bangladesh, are astonished by its densely packed population. However, common perceptions and actual statistics can differ significantly.

Although Bangladesh is known for having the highest population density in the world, this is not actually the case. According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, Bangladesh's population is 162.7 million, with a population density of about 1,103 people per ㎢. With over 1,000 people living in 1㎢, it indeed seems like a very crowded place.

On July 5, 2022 (local time), citizens are lining up at a train station in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to purchase homecoming train tickets sold in advance ahead of the Islamic holiday 'Eid al-Adha' (Festival of Sacrifice). [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the country boasting the highest population density in the world is not Bangladesh but so-called city-states. According to Statistics Korea, as of 2020, Macau's population density reached 20,769 people per 1㎢, which is about 20 times that of Bangladesh.

Singapore has 7,810 people per 1㎢, Hong Kong has 6,740 people per 1㎢, and Malta has 1,631 people per 1㎢. These are island nations or city-states located along coastlines. What about South Korea? South Korea has 516 people per 1㎢. While South Korea is considered a country with a high population density, compared to the world's highest-density countries, it seems relatively livable.

Compared to Bangladesh, South Korea has about half the population density. However, considering that South Korea has many mountainous areas where living is difficult and that the population is concentrated in specific regions, the story changes. More than half of the population lives in the Seoul metropolitan area, and among them, many are concentrated in Seoul itself.

According to Statistics Korea, Seoul's population density as of 2021 is about 15,650 people per 1㎢. This is comparable to Macau's world-leading population density. It gives a real sense of how many people live in Seoul.

Looking at the population density of individual neighborhoods within Seoul is even more astonishing. You will find that some neighborhoods in Seoul have a much denser population than any city in Bangladesh often featured in overseas news.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Seoul's population density statistics, as of 2022, Seongdong-gu Haengdang 2-dong has a population density of 55,114 people per 1㎢. Guro-gu Guro 4-dong has 50,113 people, and Gwanak-gu Cheongnim-dong has 50,017 people. These areas have over 50,000 residents per 1㎢.

Haengdang 2-dong is centered around Haengdang Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 and is densely packed with apartments such as Haengdang Daerim Apartments, Haengdang Hanjin Town Apartments, Haengdang Doosan We've Apartments, Haengdang Seoul Forest Prugio Apartments, Sindonga Apartments, and Haengdang Brownstone Apartments.

Schools in the area include Muhak Girls' High School, Muhak Girls' Middle School, and Seoul Haenghyeon Elementary School.

Haengdang 2-dong covers an area of 0.42㎢ and is home to 23,148 people. If you are curious about densely populated areas, you might find your questions answered by visiting the vicinity of Haengdang Station instead of traveling all the way to Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Guro 4-dong is also a densely populated area comparable to Haengdang 2-dong. It has 23,052 residents living in an area of 0.46㎢. Guro 4-dong has many apartments such as Guro Doosan Apartments, Gyeongnam Honorsville Apartments, Hyundai Apartments, Geukdong Apartments, Lucky Apartments, and Daerim Woosung 2nd Apartments, but villas are also widely distributed.

It is adjacent to Guro Market, and schools include Guro Middle School and Seoul Dongguro Elementary School. Subway stations nearby are Daerim Station (Guro-gu Office Station) on Lines 2 and 7, and Namguro Station on Line 7.

Gwanak-gu Cheongnim-dong includes Gwanak Prugio Apartments and Gwanak Hyundai Apartments and has a wide villa district. There is no subway station within Cheongnim-dong itself. Residents use nearby subway stations such as Soongsil University Station (Salpijae) and Namseong Station on Line 7, and Seoul National University Station (Gwanak-gu Office) on Line 2 via public transportation.

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