Currently, residents of South Korea, whose population has reached amazing numbers, are attracting more and more attention of the world community due to achievements in various fields of science and technology.
History
Historians believe that the people of this country are descendants of the most ancient tribes that came from Mongolia in the Bronze Age. Since the beginning of our era, the inhabitants of South Korea, the population of the entire Korean peninsula, can be considered a single ethnic group.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the country's population was considered young. The birth rate was extremely high; during their (most often short-lived) life, women gave birth up to 10 times. However, almost a third of these children died before reaching a year. The same number died before the age of 10 years. This fact is not surprising, a similar situation existed in many countries.
The average life expectancy of a man was about 24 years. Women lived a little longer - 26 years. Now these figures seem terrible, but for that time it was a completely normal situation. For this reason, despite the high birth rate, the country's population grew very slowly.
The situation improved significantly only in the colonial era. European medicine, medicines, a new approach to hygiene made it possible to defeat most of the diseases that claimed the lives of South Koreans. The population during this period lived much longer: men survived to 43 years old and women to 44 years old.
Gradually, with the improvement of the situation in the country, the life expectancy of Koreans increased to about 75-80 years. However, such a change has led to the fact that today the country's population is not reproduced. On average, a Korean family has 1-2 children. Although most women do not work, they are not willing to raise many children. This is due to economic reasons. Previously, a large number of children guaranteed a secured old age, but now, on the contrary, the more children, the more expensive it costs parents. High-quality education is expensive; adult children start working late enough. In addition, today, Koreans have much more ways to secure their old age, and having children is not the best of them.
Population
The population of South and North Korea is one ethnic group. All these people speak the same language. However, there are residents who speak Korean dialects. Most people use literary Korean, which was based on the Seoul dialect. Although English is not well developed in the country, most of the tablets and signs are written in two languages. The appearance of the Koreans is very recognizable: they are very easy to distinguish from other related Asians, Chinese or Japanese.
This ethnic group is famous for its strong cultural, national spirit and patriotism. According to traditions, several generations live in one family. However, today an increasing number of families are moving away from accepted norms and living their own social group.
The most common surname in Korea is Kim. More than 21% of all South Koreans with such a surname. Lee’s namesake is in second place and Pak in third.
The country pursues a policy of religious freedom. Moreover, believers of all faiths in the country are now slightly more than 51%. Almost half of them are Buddhists, about 34% are Protestants, and just over 10% are Catholics. The rest profess shamanism and Confucianism.
Despite the fact that the main population of the country is the Korean ethnic group, a large number of foreigners permanently or temporarily live in it.
number
According to the October census of last year, the population of South Korea reached 50 million people. With such a population, the country takes 24th place in terms of the number of people. Given the population of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Peninsula has about 73 million people. And this is the 18th place among all countries of the world.
An interesting fact was that there are 110 thousand more men in the country than women.
Density
The population density of South Korea is 501.37 people. per square kilometer. That is, if you put all the country's inhabitants next to each other, then on a plot of land a kilometer per kilometer will be worth 501 people. In terms of population density, this is the 12th place in the world.
Forecasts
Scientists conduct various studies, including taking into account population growth and making forecasts for the nation. According to these data, by 2750, the people of South Korea may completely disappear. The population, whose growth is 0.27%, simply cannot exist for a long time.
Experts recall that in 2014 the population was more than 50 million people. Moreover, the birth rate is only 1.19 children per woman. If the situation does not change for the better, then by 2136 the population will be reduced to 10 million. And by 2750, the Koreans would face complete extinction.
Back in 2006, an Oxford scientist warned that, given the current population growth rate, South Korea’s country was in danger of becoming the first country whose population would die out naturally.