The registered population of Cheongdo County in Gyeongbuk has fallen below 40,000.
As of the end of July, the registered population stood at 39,989, a decrease of 32 from the previous month’s 40,021. Compared to a year ago, when the population was 40,287, this marks a decline of 298, and it is down 1,520 from 41,509 in July 2023.
More notable than the population size is its structure. The population aged 65 and older has reached 19,070, accounting for 47.7% of the total.
In contrast, the number of external visitors and residents in Cheongdo far exceeds the registered population. In March 2024, the temporary population was 328,000, which is 7.8 times the registered population at that time. This figure ranks seventh among 89 areas experiencing population decline nationwide and is the highest in Gyeongbuk.
The simultaneous decrease in the resident population and the large number of temporary residents is a defining characteristic of Cheongdo's population issues.
The decline in Cheongdo's population is significantly influenced by the gap between births and deaths.
In July, when Cheongdo County prioritized maintaining a population of 40,000, there were only 50 births and 347 deaths this year, resulting in a natural decrease of 297.
During the same period, 1,559 people moved into the area while 1,373 left, leading to a net increase of 186 in the social population.
Although more people moved into Cheongdo than left, this influx could not offset the much higher number of deaths compared to births.
This trend has not emerged recently. In 2021, there were only 93 births compared to 650 deaths in Cheongdo County.
The simultaneous aging population and decline in the youth demographic could place additional burdens on maintaining local infrastructure such as schools, businesses, healthcare, transportation, and caregiving services.
This context has prompted Cheongdo County to expand its population policies beyond simple relocation support to include improvements in caregiving, housing, and job opportunities.
Unlike the resident population, the indicators for the temporary population reveal different possibilities for Cheongdo.
In the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly temporary population in Cheongdo was about 300,000, peaking at 328,000 in March.
The county's proximity to cities like Daegu and Gyeongsan, as well as relatively good access from Busan and Ulsan, along with its tourism, leisure, cultural, and agricultural resources, have contributed to this influx of external residents.
A Cheongdo County official stated, "Visitors do not only concentrate during specific events like festivals; there is a steady flow of people coming to Cheongdo throughout the year," adding that they view the temporary population as a crucial foundation for regional vitality.
Experts emphasize that policies regarding the temporary population should focus on analyzing the characteristics of stays rather than merely increasing visitor numbers.
A study conducted by the Korea Local Administration Institute in 2025 on the characteristics of the temporary population in areas experiencing population decline suggested that since the characteristics of the temporary population vary across regions, strategies should be developed based on stay size, duration, origin, and consumption activities.
Furthermore, research on responses to population decline using temporary population data highlights the need to analyze both registered and temporary populations' characteristics and consumption activities to devise tailored regional policies.
For regions like Cheongdo, where the temporary population is already substantial, it is essential to consider not only how to attract more external residents but also how frequently they visit, how long they stay, and their spending in the area.
On the 25th, Cheongdo County reviewed a basic plan to address population decline, which includes three strategies, nine practical tasks, 37 initiatives, and 52 detailed projects.
The detailed projects outlined in the plan focus on improving caregiving and living environments, supporting settlement through rural community initiatives, fostering youth entrepreneurship, and promoting smart farming and rural convergence industries.
The direction aims to simultaneously expand the temporary population and improve living conditions.
The Korea Local Administration Institute's research on revitalizing the temporary population in areas facing population decline also suggests that the concept of relational population should be introduced, evolving from mere stays to establishing ongoing relationships with the region.
Given that Cheongdo already has a foundation of a temporary population around 300,000, it is crucial to examine not only the size of the temporary population but also the frequency of return visits, local spending, youth entrepreneurship, and the influx of new residents.
As the decline in registered residents continues, how effectively Cheongdo County can leverage its strength in the temporary population to stimulate the local economy and establish a long-term settlement foundation will be a key challenge in addressing population decline moving forward.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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