South Korea's centenarian population surges over 30% in four years

South Korea's population of people aged 100 and above has expanded by more than 30 per cent over a four-year period, underscoring the nation's shift towards an increasingly elderly society. The growth trajectory highlights demographic trends reshaping East Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Women comprise the overwhelming majority of South Korea's centenarians, outnumbering men by approximately five to one. This gender disparity is consistent with global patterns where female longevity typically exceeds that of males across developed nations.

The expansion of the centenarian population reflects South Korea's rising life expectancy and improving healthcare standards. The country has one of the world's highest life expectancies, driven by advances in medical care, nutrition, and living standards over recent decades.

South Korea faces significant policy challenges as its population ages rapidly. The country's working-age population is declining while the proportion of elderly citizens climbs, placing pressure on pension systems, healthcare infrastructure, and the labour market. Policymakers are grappling with how to sustain economic growth and social welfare provisions amid these demographic shifts.