Gwangyang Youth Prefer Policies Supporting Marriage, Childbirth, and Childcare

by Heo Seonsik

Published 08 Jan.2025 16:06(KST)

Updated 28 Jul.2025 08:44(KST)

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City Announces 2023 'Youth Statistics' Results
Youth Account for 34.7% of Total Population
689 Marriages... Highest in Past Three Years

Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jung Inhwa) announced on the 8th that it has published the results of the "Gwangyang City Youth Statistics" based on data as of the end of December 2023.

According to the statistical survey, the youth population of Gwangyang City, defined as those aged 19 to 45, was 53,030, accounting for 34.7% of the city's total population. The youth population ratio in Gwangyang City was the highest among the 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do, 6% higher than the Jeollanam-do average (28.8%), and 3.1% and 0.5% higher than that of Yeosu and Suncheon, respectively.

Gwangyang City announced the results of the "Gwangyang City Youth Statistics" compiled as of the end of December 2023. Provided by Gwangyang City

In the second half of 2023, the number of employed youth in Gwangyang City was 33,500, an increase of 1,500 compared to 32,000 in the first half. Among employed youth, "wage workers" accounted for 87.2%, while "non-wage workers," such as those running their own businesses or self-employed, made up 12.8%.

The total number of marriages in Gwangyang City was 689, an increase of 51 compared to 638 in 2022, marking the highest figure in the past three years.

The most preferred youth policy areas among young people were "marriage, childbirth, and childcare support" (37.7%) and "provision of youth housing and housing cost support" (23%). Notably, preference for "marriage, childbirth, and childcare support" was 5.9% higher among men (40.3%) than women (34.4%).

The top priorities for Gwangyang City youth regarding "childcare" were "urban infrastructure development" (29%), "expansion of childcare facilities" (26.0%), and "support for pregnancy and childbirth services" (18.5%), in that order.

Tak Younghee, Head of the General Affairs Division, said, "The Gwangyang City Youth Statistics began in 2018 to create a basic dataset for attracting youth population. The results will be effectively used to establish youth policies unique to Gwangyang City."