Gwangyang-si Ranks 2nd in Overall "Quality of Life" Index Among Nationwide Urban-Rural Complex Cities

High Ratings in Economy, Culture & Community, and Regional Vitality

Evaluation of 129 Agricultural and Fishing Rural Municipalities by the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do announced that it was selected as the second highest region in the nation for the 'Quality of Life' index in rural-urban complex cities, according to the evaluation of the quality of life in rural areas conducted by the Presidential Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Communities.

According to the city, in the evaluation of the quality of life in rural-urban complex cities, Gwangyang received high scores in the areas of economy, cultural community, and regional vitality (7th in economy, 3rd in culture/community, 6th in regional vitality), ranking second nationwide after Icheon City in Gyeonggi-do.

[Photo by Gwangyang-si]

On the 5th, the Presidential Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Communities (Chairman Jang Tae-pyeong) held its 21st plenary session in Cheongyang, Chungnam, and officially announced for the first time the 'Quality of Life Index Results' for 129 regions nationwide (79 rural areas, 50 rural-urban complex cities).

The 'Rural Quality of Life Index' was developed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee using existing statistical data. It consists of five areas (▲Economy ▲Health & Welfare ▲Culture & Community ▲Environment & Safety ▲Regional Vitality) and 20 indicators, applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assign weights to each indicator and calculate the index.

Gwangyang City has laid the foundation as the top economic city in Jeollanam-do through the largest-ever scale of investment attraction and job creation, and is solidifying its position as a hub for new industries leading future growth through designation as a secondary battery opportunity development zone, creation of a smart port, and advancement of the steel industry.

Gwangyang is a city with a population increase for two consecutive years and is building a comprehensive welfare system supporting all life stages from fetal period to old age.

Additionally, to become a city favorable for child-rearing, it is promoting the designation of an education development zone, operation of the Children's Care Foundation and Comprehensive Childcare Support Center, establishment of a public postpartum care center, and establishment of a pediatric emergency medical system.

In particular, Gwangyang, which has won the Jeollanam-do Eco-friendly Agriculture Award for two consecutive years, is investing 10.59% of its general budget in 2024 in agriculture and rural sectors to create a ‘prosperous rural area guaranteed with urban-level standards’ by expanding the foundation for eco-friendly agriculture, supporting return-to-farming and rural migration, realizing sustainable future agriculture, and accelerating the supply of safe and healthy food.

Recently, public and private sectors have been actively working together to attract the Gwangyang office of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, which handles tasks such as eco-friendly agricultural product certification, agricultural management entity registration and management, and agricultural product safety investigation.

Jung In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang City, said, "It seems that Gwangyang City's various efforts and achievements for citizen satisfaction and happiness received good results in this rural quality of life evaluation," and added, "We will continue to strive to improve the quality of life in rural areas and create a warm Gwangyang."

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