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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World A Study on Countermeasures to Population A Study on Industrial Invigoration of KIDI R&D

Decline in Island Regions
Island Regions

1. Necessity of Research 1. Necessity of Research
- This study examines population trends in island regions and their implications, aiming to propose policies to mitigate - Due to their geographical characteristics, islands face significant challenges in industrial infrastructure, transportation,
the negative effects of rapid population decline. accessibility, and residential living conditions. This study aims to examine the industrial foundations of inhabited
islands in Korea’s southwestern region, analyze the industrial needs of residents and visitors, and propose strategies
to revitalize island industries.

2. Population Trends in Domestic Islands
- Between 2016 and 2022, Korea’s island population declined by 4.8%, falling to approximately 790,000. The number of 2. Research Scope and Methodology
inhabited islands decreased from 472 to 463 during the same period.
- The study investigated the industrial foundations of 176 inhabited islands in the southwestern region, categorizing
· About 75% of the island population resides on fewer than ten large islands, each with populations exceeding
them into distinct types based on their current state. Surveys were conducted with residents and visitors to assess
20,000. Meanwhile, 80% of inhabited islands host fewer than 300 residents.
their industrial preferences. Case studies focusing on agriculture, fishing, and tourism—the dominant industries in
- By 2042, the island population is projected to decrease by 18.1% to approximately 650,000, with an additional 20 island regions—provided insights into current challenges, leading to tailored revitalization strategies.
inhabited islands becoming uninhabited.
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3. Research Findings
3. Characteristics of Population Change - Among the 176 inhabited islands, agriculture and fishing coexist as primary industries. The islands were categorized
- Migration (social factors) plays a more significant role in population changes than birth and death rates (natural into eight industrial types, with 71 islands (40%) featuring a combination of agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
factors). Smaller islands experience higher rates of population decline. - Residents’ industrial preferences were evenly distributed: agriculture (29.5%), tourism (28.7%), and fishing (28.2%).
Visitors, however, prioritized tourism the most.
- Settlement conditions in islands with high population decline rates are notably inferior to those on the mainland. - Case studies revealed that agriculture and fishing are often organized into clusters, suggesting the need for region-
· Basic infrastructure such as healthcare and education is often unavailable on smaller islands, with most facilities based support to sustain their operations. Conversely, the tourism sector requires island-specific support and an
concentrated on larger islands with populations exceeding 20,000. interconnected network of islands to scale up tourism activities effectively.
· Island residents report lower satisfaction with settlement conditions compared to rural mainland residents, - Enhancing competitiveness in island industries will require modernization and automation through diverse
particularly in areas such as healthcare, welfare, education, and culture. agricultural and fishery products, the adoption of smart technologies, and workforce supplementation.

4. Strategies and Policy Recommendations for Industrial Revitalization
4. Policy Recommendations to Address Population Decline
- To revitalize island industries, the study suggests focusing on three key areas: enhancing production bases, creating
- Flexible human resource utilization, settlement condition improvements, a comprehensive policy framework, and a
added value, and stabilizing production systems.
demographic data system are proposed as key strategies:
· Enhancing production bases: Develop solutions to reduce energy costs and implement multipurpose water systems
· Introduce a multiple-address system to allow individuals to register residency in more than one location. Leverage
to address climate change impacts on primary industries.
island resources to attract visitors and encourage extended stays. Shift public perception of islands through
· Creating added value: Foster entrepreneurial and marketing skills among residents to diversify income sources
targeted campaigns.
beyond agriculture and fishing. Identify high-income, climate-resilient products and provide technical support to
· Review and implement region-specific settlement improvement plans tailored to clusters of islands.
develop them.
· Establish a dedicated organization to develop and execute long-term population policies. Streamline and optimize
· Stabilizing production systems: Introduce policies supporting agricultural scalability and propose a specialized visa
existing underdeveloped area support projects.
system for foreign workers (including seasonal labor) to ensure a stable workforce.
· Develop methodologies and establish professional organizations for compiling demographic data to inform
- To implement these strategies effectively, establish a comprehensive legal framework for island industrial promotion
evidence-based policymaking.
or amend the Island Development Promotion Act to include systematic support for agriculture, fisheries, and tourism
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