National Assembly Futures Institute: Uiryeong County Ranks Third in South Gyeongsang for Net Inflow of Middle-Aged Returnees to Farming

Located at the Geographical Center of South Gyeongsang Province
Excellent Accessibility to Major Cities such as Busan and Daegu

As the influx of middle-aged residents into Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, has shown a marked increase recently, the county is establishing itself as a representative destination for returnees to farming and rural life in the region.

According to the recently published report "Exploring New Opportunity Factors in Depopulated Areas" by the National Assembly Futures Institute, Uiryeong County ranked third (88 households) in net inflow of middle-aged residents (aged 50-64) among the 11 depopulated areas in the province, following Sancheong County and Miryang City.

Mr. Kim Jeongyeop, who moved from Busan to Uiryeong to start farming two years ago, is introducing the House for New Farmers. Provided by Uiryeong County

According to Uiryeong County's statistics on returnees to farming and rural areas, 1,161 households in 2024 and 813 households in 2023 moved to Uiryeong for farming or rural living. Among these, the proportion of middle-aged households was the highest, accounting for 42% (488 households) in 2024 and 51% (412 households) in 2023. For two consecutive years, people in their 50s and 60s have been confirmed as the core demographic among new arrivals returning to farming and rural life.

In particular, Uiryeong County is located at the geographical center of South Gyeongsang Province, offering excellent accessibility to major cities such as Busan and Daegu. It allows residents to enjoy a pleasant natural environment while reducing the burden of housing costs. This matches the needs of middle-aged people who prioritize "quality of life" after city living, making Uiryeong an attractive settlement area.

Uiryeong County is expanding various support policies to ease the initial burden of returning to farming. In particular, through the "House for New Farmers" project, the county helps newcomers experience the local living environment and agricultural sites for a certain period. The "Startup Fund Support Project for New Farmers" provides low-interest loans at an annual rate of 2% to cover the costs needed for starting a business and establishing an agricultural base.

Additionally, through the "Settlement Support Project for New Farmers," the county broadly supports costs for agricultural machinery and facility construction, consulting, and certification acquisition. It also subsidizes housing repair costs for returnees to farming, rural areas, or hometowns. These policies play a significant role in reducing uncertainties during the settlement process and establishing a practical income base.

Kim Jeongyeop (63), who returned to farming in Gungnyu-myeon, Uiryeong County from Busan two years ago, is a case of stable settlement thanks to these support policies.

Kim said, "I wanted to start a new life within a familiar living area rather than in a completely unfamiliar place," and added, "I judged that Uiryeong, which is close to Busan and located at the center of South Gyeongsang Province, was the most suitable choice."

Kim is currently receiving professional training at the county's Agricultural College and is stably cultivating a variety of crops, including eco-friendly rice, garlic, spinach, and the tropical crop 'Hakama.' He said, "The customized support system for new farmers has been systematically established, which greatly helped me settle in," and added, "When my spouse retires, we plan to move to Uiryeong together to spend our later years."

County Governor Oh Taewan stated, "Our top priority is to create a residential environment where newcomers to Uiryeong can live without inconvenience," and added, "We will actively support those seeking new opportunities in Uiryeong so they can settle down stably."

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