August 20, 2026 | 07:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of South Koreans aged 100 and over (centenarians) has nearly tripled over the past decade, driven by medical advances and improved living conditions, according to statistics ministry data released Thursday, August 20, according to Antara, citing Xinhua.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics on the population aged 100 and over, there were 8,604 people aged 100 or older as of November 1, 2025.
This figure is a 172.4 percent increase, or an increase of 5,445 people, compared with the 3,159 recorded in the previous survey in 2015.
These figures are based on face-to-face household interviews, meaning they may differ from the official ages recorded in the government's population registration system.
Although the average annual growth rate of people aged 100 and over decreased slightly from 11.5 percent in 2015 to 10.5 percent in 2025, the number of people aged 100 and over per 100,000 people jumped from 6.4 to 17.3, indicating a surge in the density of the very elderly population.
By gender, women constitute the largest majority group at 83.4 percent, or 7,176 people, compared to 1,428 men aged 100 and over.
The Korea Times also noted that one in five centenarians live alone.
By region, a quarter of South Korea's centenarians live in Gyeonggi Province (2,052 people), followed by Seoul (1,268 people) and North Gyeongsang Province (559 people).
Read: Why Japan Sees Lowest Citizen Population in 42 Years
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
North Korea Fires Missiles as Trump Moves to Meet Kim Jong Un
3 jam lalu
The launch came hours after US President Trump announced plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year.
Trump's North Korea Overture Triggers Fears for US Alliances
1 hari lalu
Trump's decision to scale back US involvement in South Korea's annual military drills has raised concerns over the alliance and regional security.
Trump Says US-South Korea Military Drills to Be Scaled Back
3 hari lalu
US President Donald Trump believes annual military drills with South Korea send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea.
South Korea Rushes 200 Water Trucks to Drought-Hit South Gyeongsang
7 hari lalu
Firefighting water tankers and military vehicles from across South Korea were deployed as the drought in the southeastern region worsened.
North Korea Tests Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Drills
8 hari lalu
Tokyo said the suspected ballistic missile was launched toward Japan and likely landed just outside its exclusive economic zone.
South Korea to Resume Railway Project to North Korea in 2027
15 hari lalu
South Korea will resume construction of a decade-stalled railway line connecting Seoul with Wonsan, a city in eastern North Korea.
Korea: Police Raid Starbucks Offices Over 'Tank Day' Fiasco
15 hari lalu
Starbucks Korea faced backlash over claims it trivialized a 1980 massacre. Police said its internal probe was inadequate.
Indonesian Lawmaker Backs Prabowo's Offer to Mediate Korean Talks
15 hari lalu
An Indonesian lawmaker backs President Prabowo Subianto's readiness to mediate dialogue between South Korea and North Korea.
South Korea: 16 Dead Amid Record Heat Wave
16 hari lalu
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on officials to take prompt action as extreme weather conditions became "normal."
Prabowo Says South Korea Asked Him to Help Open Talks with North Korea
20 hari lalu
Prabowo added that he was willing to travel to North Korea if he received an official request to carry out the mission.
