[Exclusive] Statistics Korea Requests 33% Budget Increase... First Public Disclosure of Ministry Budget Proposals

Statistics Korea's Budget Request to the Ministry of Economy and Finance
Next Year's Budget Requested at 565 Billion Won, a 32.9% Increase
Five-Year Cycle Statistical Surveys and Headquarters Personnel Expenses Increased
"Aligned with Ministry of Economy and Finance's Departmental Limits"

Despite maintaining a sound fiscal policy, Statistics Korea has requested a budget increase of over 30% for next year. The cost of the quinquennial statistical surveys has been reflected, and personnel expenses for regional offices have also been increased. Regarding the double-digit growth rate, Statistics Korea stated that the requested budget did not exceed the limit set by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

According to the '2025 Budget Request for Revenues and Expenditures under the Jurisdiction of Statistics Korea,' obtained by Asia Economy on the 18th, Statistics Korea requested 565 billion won for next year's expenditure budget from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This is an increase of 139.733 billion won (32.9%) from this year's budget of 425.267 billion won. On the other hand, the revenue budget submitted decreased by 320 million won (8.4%), from 361 billion won to 330.8 billion won.

This is the first time that a specific ministry's budget request has been made public. A budget request is a document that government ministries prepare for the next year's budget plan and submit to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. According to the National Finance Act, all ministries must submit their budget requests by the end of May each year. The Budget Office of the Ministry of Economy and Finance reviews the requests and negotiates with the ministries before submitting the budget proposal to the National Assembly by September 3. While the budget request allows insight into the ministries' project demands and budget formulation process, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has kept them confidential, citing operational difficulties.

Looking at the budget request, the areas where Statistics Korea demanded increases were mainly statistical surveys and personnel expenses. The budget for the Population and Housing Census increased from 26.326 billion won this year to 116 billion won next year, a rise of 89.674 billion won (340.6%). The Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Census also requested 53.9 billion won, an increase of 51.84 billion won (2471.6%) compared to this year's 2.096 billion won. Additionally, personnel expenses for the headquarters, including five regional statistical offices, were uniformly raised by 7%. Accordingly, the related budget increased by 10.546 billion won, from 150.666 billion won to 161.212 billion won.

On the other hand, some areas underwent restructuring and budget cuts. The Social Agriculture and Fishery Statistics project decreased by 4.523 billion won (16.8%), from 26.892 billion won to 22.369 billion won. Budget cuts in projects such as the integration of the statistical database (DB) and portal services, as well as the establishment and operation of the census system, led to a reduction in the statistical services budget from 34.374 billion won to 30.419 billion won, a decrease of 3.955 billion won (11.5%). Additionally, the budget for statistical system maintenance and professional statistical education decreased by 2.261 billion won (11.9%), and internal and external cooperation strengthening was reduced by 944 million won (8.8%).

Statistics Korea explained that statistical surveys are conducted on a regular cycle, which causes a significant increase in the budget in certain years. A Statistics Korea official said, “Next year, there will be the Population and Housing Census and the Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Census, which occur every five years, so the budget jumps sharply,” adding, “We adjusted the amount within the limits set by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.” He also added, “New projects will be finalized through consultations with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, separate from the limits.”

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has begun a full review after receiving budget requests from each ministry. This year’s total budget is 656.9 trillion won, with an expenditure growth rate of only 2.8% compared to the previous year. The government announced its intention to maintain a sound fiscal policy next year while focusing selectively on essential areas such as welfare, research and development (R&D), and low birth rates. Plans include reducing discretionary spending by more than 10% and scaling back or abolishing projects with low validity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Finance faced a lawsuit from civic groups demanding the disclosure of budget requests from five ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, regarding the 2022 budget requests. The Ministry refused, citing concerns over various issues such as the premature leak of budget requests and increased complaints and pressure. The Seoul Administrative Court, which handled the first trial, ruled that the Ministry’s claims lacked plausibility and that disclosure would help guarantee the public’s right to know. The second trial is currently underway.

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