Korea’s population slightly increased in 2025 from a year earlier despite low birth rates, driven by a rise in immigration, data showed Tuesday, with the share of foreigners reaching a record high. New census data showed foreign residents accounting for a record 4.1 percent of the population, offsetting a low birth rate and large cohort of older adults.
2. How this related to the sub
(1) Immigration: Korean citizen population is decreasing while Korean resident population is increasing thanks to immigration.
Korea’s demographic crisis is offset by increased level of immigration. This is due to recent rise of xenophobic riots ( a.k.a Charlie Kirk riots ) and anti-immigrant sentiment & concerns over racial purity among far-right and far-left, Korea remain relatively inclusive in migrant workers’ rights thanks to the pressure from labor unions to give full labor rights to foreigners. Unlike other Asian countries like Japan where underpaying migrant workers legal, all foreign workforce in Korea should get the same pay and benefits as a Korean doing the same work according to labor law. ( whether that law is enforced is dependent on the commitment of the party in power and how well a migrant knows the legal code )
1 Comment
1. Summary
Korea’s population slightly increased in 2025 from a year earlier despite low birth rates, driven by a rise in immigration, data showed Tuesday, with the share of foreigners reaching a record high. New census data showed foreign residents accounting for a record 4.1 percent of the population, offsetting a low birth rate and large cohort of older adults.
2. How this related to the sub
(1) Immigration: Korean citizen population is decreasing while Korean resident population is increasing thanks to immigration.
3. My opinion
https://preview.redd.it/a618oavdg2gh1.jpeg?width=527&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1364c4206351229adf11d8cc4f0a8fd5cf25ae96
Korea’s demographic crisis is offset by increased level of immigration. This is due to recent rise of xenophobic riots ( a.k.a Charlie Kirk riots ) and anti-immigrant sentiment & concerns over racial purity among far-right and far-left, Korea remain relatively inclusive in migrant workers’ rights thanks to the pressure from labor unions to give full labor rights to foreigners. Unlike other Asian countries like Japan where underpaying migrant workers legal, all foreign workforce in Korea should get the same pay and benefits as a Korean doing the same work according to labor law. ( whether that law is enforced is dependent on the commitment of the party in power and how well a migrant knows the legal code )