Residents and visitors tell different stories

Can resident counts tell us everything about a place? Explore visitor activity and spending characteristics in Korea’s 89 designated population-decline areas.

Explore population change across Korea

Month to explore

Reference month

First region

Second region

89 designated areas, as of 2026-3

People who stay, and their share of spending

Further right means more people staying relative to registered residents. Higher means a larger share of observed card spending comes from people staying. Each dot is one region.

The horizontal 50% line marks equal shares of spending by staying and registered populations. A higher share does not establish higher or growing total spending.

Gapyeong, GyeonggiSeo, Busan

View every region’s values · choose a name to compare

89 designated areas, as of 2026-3
First region	Staying-to-registered population ratio	Resident population	Staying population	Average spend per card user	Staying population’s card spend share
Seo, Busan	3.4×	101,452 people	354,071 people	₩197,000	61.6%
Dong, Busan	6.8×	83,530 people	585,928 people	₩116,000	65.5%
Yeongdo, Busan	2.7×	100,733 people	278,177 people	₩90,000	27.8%
Seo, Daegu	2.2×	163,853 people	367,737 people	₩161,000	41.5%
Nam, Daegu	3.2×	138,546 people	447,009 people	₩160,000	54.7%
Gunwi, Daegu	6.4×	22,587 people	147,805 people	₩117,000	51.0%
Ganghwa, Incheon	6.3×	69,615 people	446,340 people	₩89,000	33.7%
Ongjin, Incheon	8.4×	19,425 people	168,795 people	₩95,000	41.8%
Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi	3.7×	42,684 people	163,008 people	₩115,000	32.8%
Gapyeong, Gyeonggi	8.7×	61,963 people	555,490 people	₩114,000	49.7%
Jecheon, Chungbuk	2.4×	128,269 people	322,981 people	₩198,000	24.4%
Boeun, Chungbuk	4.5×	30,662 people	140,883 people	₩113,000	28.7%
Okcheon, Chungbuk	3.5×	50,259 people	183,556 people	₩138,000	37.2%
Yeongdong, Chungbuk	2.8×	42,974 people	121,394 people	₩134,000	21.2%
Goesan, Chungbuk	4.7×	37,532 people	182,776 people	₩116,000	28.2%
Danyang, Chungbuk	6.0×	26,644 people	161,264 people	₩114,000	40.2%
Gongju, Chungnam	4.9×	99,843 people	502,026 people	₩118,000	36.9%
Boryeong, Chungnam	4.0×	91,434 people	385,380 people	₩131,000	27.1%
Nonsan, Chungnam	4.1×	106,295 people	464,802 people	₩135,000	28.6%
Geumsan, Chungnam	3.8×	48,853 people	198,192 people	₩135,000	30.7%
Buyeo, Chungnam	3.2×	57,984 people	192,958 people	₩148,000	30.5%
Seocheon, Chungnam	4.2×	46,982 people	206,665 people	₩99,000	27.1%
Cheongyang, Chungnam	3.3×	30,077 people	104,040 people	₩101,000	18.0%
Yesan, Chungnam	3.8×	78,604 people	316,845 people	₩127,000	30.5%
Taean, Chungnam	5.2×	59,177 people	319,053 people	₩128,000	33.8%
Damyang, Jeonnam	6.9×	44,101 people	315,526 people	₩106,000	45.6%
Gokseong, Jeonnam	3.9×	27,582 people	109,267 people	₩120,000	35.8%
Gurye, Jeonnam	15.8×	23,941 people	382,743 people	₩66,000	46.1%
Goheung, Jeonnam	2.5×	59,194 people	156,334 people	₩117,000	19.8%
Boseong, Jeonnam	3.9×	36,729 people	146,655 people	₩124,000	31.8%
Hwasun, Jeonnam	4.2×	60,126 people	257,648 people	₩187,000	43.3%
Jangheung, Jeonnam	2.8×	34,076 people	97,364 people	₩133,000	22.3%
Gangjin, Jeonnam	4.1×	31,776 people	132,307 people	₩127,000	31.2%
Haenam, Jeonnam	2.8×	62,114 people	187,106 people	₩156,000	22.0%
Yeongam, Jeonnam	3.0×	50,039 people	179,719 people	₩171,000	35.7%
Hampyeong, Jeonnam	3.8×	29,320 people	114,675 people	₩137,000	34.1%
Yeonggwang, Jeonnam	2.4×	53,957 people	134,080 people	₩133,000	23.9%
Jangseong, Jeonnam	4.5×	42,984 people	198,401 people	₩149,000	39.9%
Wando, Jeonnam	2.4×	44,339 people	114,285 people	₩109,000	20.8%
Jindo, Jeonnam	2.9×	27,922 people	86,445 people	₩122,000	19.4%
Sinan, Jeonnam	2.8×	42,045 people	122,418 people	₩92,000	25.9%
Andong, Gyeongbuk	2.3×	152,097 people	358,146 people	₩190,000	26.5%
Yeongju, Gyeongbuk	1.6×	96,673 people	158,116 people	₩176,000	20.0%
Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk	2.9×	94,633 people	287,612 people	₩167,000	28.0%
Sangju, Gyeongbuk	2.5×	89,579 people	232,750 people	₩144,000	18.6%
Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk	3.3×	64,904 people	218,673 people	₩137,000	26.5%
Uiseong, Gyeongbuk	3.2×	47,820 people	156,860 people	₩107,000	29.5%
Cheongsong, Gyeongbuk	3.3×	23,283 people	78,204 people	₩119,000	34.8%
Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk	2.3×	16,005 people	37,534 people	₩100,000	9.5%
Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk	6.9×	32,544 people	232,030 people	₩142,000	44.5%
Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk	7.0×	40,124 people	288,589 people	₩98,000	44.8%
Goryeong, Gyeongbuk	5.1×	29,608 people	162,521 people	₩116,000	37.2%
Seongju, Gyeongbuk	3.6×	40,554 people	155,899 people	₩143,000	30.8%
Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk	2.4×	28,174 people	67,339 people	₩129,000	23.2%
Uljin, Gyeongbuk	4.2×	46,030 people	195,932 people	₩135,000	40.3%
Ulleung, Gyeongbuk	2.0×	8,744 people	17,531 people	₩150,000	26.1%
Miryang, Gyeongnam	3.5×	98,775 people	366,891 people	₩112,000	25.9%
Uiryeong, Gyeongnam	3.8×	24,503 people	95,983 people	₩96,000	23.6%
Haman, Gyeongnam	3.2×	57,208 people	199,265 people	₩184,000	41.7%
Changnyeong, Gyeongnam	3.9×	54,743 people	231,121 people	₩148,000	34.1%
Goseong, Gyeongnam	3.8×	46,842 people	183,858 people	₩127,000	28.9%
Namhae, Gyeongnam	5.4×	41,054 people	225,507 people	₩103,000	28.7%
Hadong, Gyeongnam	6.6×	39,769 people	268,656 people	₩97,000	34.6%
Sancheong, Gyeongnam	4.0×	32,662 people	134,566 people	₩130,000	31.9%
Hamyang, Gyeongnam	2.4×	35,322 people	85,288 people	₩123,000	20.5%
Geochang, Gyeongnam	1.9×	58,909 people	111,657 people	₩133,000	16.3%
Hapcheon, Gyeongnam	3.9×	38,996 people	155,034 people	₩103,000	25.5%
Taebaek, Gangwon	2.0×	36,859 people	73,723 people	₩143,000	25.2%
Samcheok, Gangwon	3.4×	60,450 people	207,485 people	₩126,000	32.9%
Hongcheon, Gangwon	4.9×	65,962 people	331,984 people	₩136,000	32.2%
Hoengseong, Gangwon	4.5×	45,573 people	210,086 people	₩148,000	38.2%
Yeongwol, Gangwon	5.3×	35,868 people	192,488 people	₩99,000	34.1%
Pyeongchang, Gangwon	6.8×	39,860 people	276,524 people	₩114,000	39.0%
Jeongseon, Gangwon	5.3×	35,053 people	188,411 people	₩95,000	28.5%
Cheorwon, Gangwon	3.4×	39,802 people	138,132 people	₩110,000	21.6%
Hwacheon, Gangwon	2.9×	22,290 people	65,605 people	₩101,000	26.3%
Yanggu, Gangwon	2.8×	20,368 people	57,998 people	₩113,000	20.9%
Goseong, Gangwon	7.8×	27,076 people	226,651 people	₩96,000	46.8%
Yangyang, Gangwon	9.3×	27,364 people	260,662 people	₩103,000	47.2%
Jeongeup, Jeonbuk	2.0×	100,795 people	212,287 people	₩163,000	19.8%
Namwon, Jeonbuk	2.8×	74,065 people	210,704 people	₩145,000	22.9%
Gimje, Jeonbuk	2.5×	81,713 people	213,727 people	₩175,000	30.7%
Jinan, Jeonbuk	4.4×	24,321 people	109,397 people	₩89,000	25.6%
Muju, Jeonbuk	4.8×	23,063 people	112,606 people	₩99,000	39.9%
Jangsu, Jeonbuk	2.3×	21,090 people	50,165 people	₩111,000	16.2%
Imsil, Jeonbuk	4.9×	25,300 people	125,727 people	₩117,000	36.6%
Sunchang, Jeonbuk	3.1×	27,627 people	86,589 people	₩87,000	17.0%
Gochang, Jeonbuk	3.7×	50,228 people	193,054 people	₩125,000	27.6%
Buan, Jeonbuk	4.5×	47,038 people	220,003 people	₩108,000	31.3%

Read two regions side by side

Values for 2026-3, with changes from 2025-3.

Gapyeong, Gyeonggi

Seo, Busan

Resident populationRegistered Korean residents at month end

61,963 people -0.4%vs reference month

101,452 people -1.4%vs reference month

Staying populationPeople staying at least 3 hours on a day that month

555,490 people -5.9%vs reference month

354,071 people +1.7%vs reference month

Average spend per card userAmong card users in the staying population

₩114,000 +5.6%vs reference month

₩197,000 +22.4%vs reference month

Staying population’s card spend shareShare of registered and staying populations’ card spend

49.7% -2.3 ppvs reference month

61.6% +3.5 ppvs reference month

Changes in average spending and changes in share measure different things. Share differences use percentage points (pp). The visitor share can rise when resident spending falls. These data do not establish total spending growth.

One unusual month, or a continuing change?

Both regions use the same timeline. A person may appear in multiple months, so monthly staying populations cannot be added to count unique visitors.

Resident population

View monthly values

Resident population
Month to explore	Gapyeong, Gyeonggi	Seo, Busan
2025-1	62,472 people	103,065 people
2025-2	62,309 people	102,995 people
2025-3	62,234 people	102,891 people
2025-4	62,181 people	102,763 people
2025-5	62,143 people	102,681 people
2025-6	62,177 people	102,581 people
2025-7	62,230 people	102,526 people
2025-8	62,276 people	102,490 people
2025-9	62,229 people	102,322 people
2025-10	62,224 people	102,191 people
2025-11	62,200 people	102,096 people
2025-12	62,125 people	101,892 people
2026-1	62,026 people	101,633 people
2026-2	62,030 people	101,572 people
2026-3	61,963 people	101,452 people

Staying population

View monthly values

Staying population
Month to explore	Gapyeong, Gyeonggi	Seo, Busan
2025-1	519,104 people	388,210 people
2025-2	460,087 people	331,353 people
2025-3	590,531 people	348,236 people
2025-4	683,621 people	343,754 people
2025-5	980,610 people	399,945 people
2025-6	902,764 people	360,391 people
2025-7	984,091 people	369,112 people
2025-8	1,205,150 people	397,151 people
2025-9	692,437 people	348,180 people
2025-10	898,763 people	421,814 people
2025-11	717,052 people	366,111 people
2025-12	444,298 people	358,733 people
2026-1	456,536 people	346,993 people
2026-2	548,347 people	375,264 people
2026-3	555,490 people	354,071 people

Average spend per card user

View monthly values

Average spend per card user
Month to explore	Gapyeong, Gyeonggi	Seo, Busan
2025-1	₩95,000	₩152,000
2025-2	₩98,000	₩159,000
2025-3	₩108,000	₩161,000
2025-4	₩110,000	₩173,000
2025-5	₩105,000	₩157,000
2025-6	₩106,000	₩159,000
2025-7	₩103,000	₩177,000
2025-8	₩99,000	₩161,000
2025-9	₩112,000	₩178,000
2025-10	₩110,000	₩164,000
2025-11	₩111,000	₩176,000
2025-12	₩105,000	₩199,000
2026-1	₩101,000	₩199,000
2026-2	₩96,000	₩180,000
2026-3	₩114,000	₩197,000

Staying population’s card spend share

View monthly values

Staying population’s card spend share
Month to explore	Gapyeong, Gyeonggi	Seo, Busan
2025-1	46.3%	57.7%
2025-2	46.0%	58.3%
2025-3	52.0%	58.1%
2025-4	55.8%	59.1%
2025-5	62.3%	58.4%
2025-6	62.7%	58.2%
2025-7	60.5%	59.3%
2025-8	64.4%	59.7%
2025-9	57.9%	60.3%
2025-10	60.2%	60.2%
2025-11	54.7%	60.3%
2025-12	42.3%	61.7%
2026-1	43.3%	61.4%
2026-2	47.5%	61.4%
2026-3	49.7%	61.6%

How to read these data

Visitors include commuters and students

Staying population counts people present for at least three hours on at least one day in a month, not just tourists. The ratio’s registered-population denominator includes both Korean residents and registered foreign residents.

Per-user spending is different from total spending

Average spend divides staying-population card spending by the number of card users. Multiplying it by the entire staying population cannot recover total spending. Cash, other card companies and unmatched records are not fully covered.

Compare data with the same card coverage

The six-company dataset includes KB and NongHyup from 2025. Data for 2024, with different coverage, is excluded. Month-to-month differences may reflect seasonality; average spending also reflects prices and the mix of users.

This is not a regional economic scorecard

Total spending, income and profitability are not shown. Restaurant data lacks a complete history of temporary closures, reopening and relocation, so historical counts of operating restaurants are excluded.

Sources and updates

Ministry of Data and Statistics · living population Ministry of Data and Statistics · regional characteristics

Population source updated 2026-07-30 / spending characteristics updated 2026-07-30 / collected by ChartKo 2026-09-13

Experimental statistics compiled monthly and published quarterly by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Data and Statistics. These are not nationally approved statistics; rounding and revisions may change the values.