In one Korean county, 1 in 3 young people have migrant backgrounds

What happened: Government data show 31.7 percent of Goseong County residents aged 24 or younger had a migrant background as of Nov. 1, 2025, the highest share nationwide. Key numbers: 1,402 of 4,429 residents in Goseong, versus 7.7 percent nationwide. Nationwide migrant-background youth reached 787,000, up 6.6 percent. Why it matters: The growth more than offset a decline of 83,000 among Korean citizens with no migrant background, leaving the total population up by 12,000 as the youth population overall shrank.

Government data show 31.7 percent of Goseong County residents aged 24 or younger had a migrant background as of Nov. 1, 2025, the highest share nationwide.

The growth more than offset a decline of 83,000 among Korean citizens with no migrant background, leaving the total population up by 12,000 as the youth population overall shrank.