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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Exploring the Significance of ISLAND Scene

Islands Through Statistics
ISLAND Scene

Have you ever wondered how many islands make up Korea and how many people live on these invaluable territories?
The following statistics shed light on the importance, challenges, and characteristics of Korea’s islands, revealing their
critical role in the nation’s identity and development.

Total Number of Population Aging Total Population of Korea Population
Approx. 3,400
Islands in Korea on Korea’s Islands on Inhabited Islands
51.63 million
Approx. 3,400 70.6% 819,928
Inhabited Islands Uninhabited Islands
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Source: Ministry of the Interior
Safety, 2021 464 2,918 and Safety, 2021, “2021 Statistical
Aging rates on islands with fewer than 10 residents are particularly
Survey”
alarming, contributing significantly to the depopulation of inhabited
Korea Research Institute for Local
Administration, 2016, “Analysis of islands. Without targeted interventions, this decline could accelerate,
Population Changes on Islands and further isolating these communities.
Vol.01 According to the Island Development Promotion Act, an island is defined as an Strategies for Development”
area surrounded by the sea at high tide. While ongoing research means these
numbers may change incrementally, the current data indicates that Korea is
home to 3,382 islands. These islands are part of an exclusive economic zone
nearly four times the size of Korea’s land territory.
KIDI plays a pivotal role in clarifying territorial boundaries and establishing Coastal Passenger Korea’s islands rely heavily on passenger ships as their primary connection to the
precise definitions for islands, ensuring their development is guided by Ship Routes and mainland. These ships serve not only as transportation but as lifelines for island
informed strategies. residents.
Operations in Korea

104 Total Passenger Ship Routes
104
Decline in the Source: Korea Shipping Association,
Number of 2009 2015 2022 2022
Inhabited Islands General Routes Auxiliary Routes

28 492 469 464 77 27
Islands Islands Islands
Number of Passenger Ships
Source: JoongAng Ilbo, September 164
2, 2018, “South Korea, the Country
with the 4th Most Islands in the 28 islands lost their inhabited status over the 13 years
World, Faces Depopulation on Its
On General Routes On Auxiliary Routes
Islands”
Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Over the years, Korea has seen a steady decline in the number of inhabited
2021, “2021 Statistical Survey” 137 27
islands. From 2009 to 2022, 28 islands transitioned to uninhabited status, with
Korea Research Institute for Local
an average of one island becoming uninhabited every year.
Administration, 2016, “Analysis of
Population Changes on Islands and As of 2017, 63 of the remaining inhabited islands were at risk of becoming Auxiliary routes cater to areas where business viability is low, with the
Strategies for Development”
uninhabited, and around 130 islands had populations of fewer than 20 government subsidizing losses to ensure essential connectivity. Despite these
residents. Many islands even reported only a single registered resident. The efforts, challenges persist. Adverse weather frequently disrupts sea routes, and
28 primary factor driving this trend is the aging population. high ferry fares pose significant financial burdens on island residents. 29
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