Yeongyang County in North Gyeongsang Province is exploring the possibility of resettling around 40 Myanmar refugees in an effort to counter its ongoing population decline, local officials announced on March 12.
The county government is in talks with South Korea’s Justice Ministry to determine whether refugees under United Nations protection could be integrated into the community. Authorities are also assessing various housing options, including repurposing closed schools to accommodate the new residents. Officials anticipate that the initiative could yield results as early as 2025.
“If there is any way to prevent population decline, we are considering all possibilities, including attracting refugees,” a county official stated. “We are doing our best to ensure the region does not disappear.”
A Shrinking Population and Struggles to Reverse the Trend
Yeongyang County has the lowest population among all mainland districts in South Korea. The county’s population dropped below 20,000 in January 2006 and has continued to decline steadily, reaching 15,271 by February 2025. If the trend persists, the population is projected to fall below 15,000 by the end of the year.
In response, local authorities have implemented various measures to slow the decline, such as encouraging government officials to register their families as Yeongyang residents and offering financial incentives for childbirth. The county currently provides up to 100 million won ($91,850) in incentives for families welcoming new babies.
Despite these efforts, demographic challenges remain. Yeongyang records only about 25 births per year, compared to roughly 300 deaths. Two decades ago, the county saw approximately 100 births annually, with 200 deaths.
The proposal to resettle refugees represents a novel approach in the county’s efforts to stabilize its population. If successful, it could serve as a model for other rural regions facing similar demographic crises.
