South Korea Population 2013
The current population of the Republic of Korea is about 50.004 million people, which is an approximate 0.45% increase from the population taken in the last census. This population is over double its neighbor to the north, the Democratic Republic of Korea, or North Korea. Over the last half a century, the country’s population has continuously been growing. Based on the total land area and the total population, the population density of the country is about 1,271 people per square mile.
South Korea Population Projection
Based on the birth, death, and migration rates of the country, the Republic of Korea is expected to reach approximately 50.22 million people by the year 2020, which is an approximate 0.43% increase from the current population of the country. Then, as the birth rates stay fairly steady, but the death rates rise, the population will continue to increase, but at a slower rate. By 2025, the population will reach 50.55 million people, which is a 1.1% increase from the current population. Then, as the death rates continue to rise, the population will only reach about 50.56 million people by the year 2030, which is an increase of only about 1.11% from the current population. Then, by 2035, the birth rates will have sunk below the death rates as the population decreases to 50.129 million people, which is only an increase of about 0.25% from the current population. Then, by 2040, the population will have sunk below the current population of the state. The population will reach about 49.15 million people, which is a 1.7% decrease from the current population. The death rates seem to be continuing to increase as time goes on as well.
South Korea Demographics
For the most part, the majority of the population of the Republic of Korea is considered to be ethnically South Korean. For a while, the population had been almost solely Korean. However, over the past decade or so, more foreign immigrants have begun to settle. About 0.2% of the population is from the United States, while almost 1% of the population is from China. Also, an increasing amount of United States military personnel and their families are living in the country now.
Religion in South Korea
A little over 65% of the population of the Republic of Korea is members of an organized religion. The largest organized religion group in the country is Christianity. For awhile, up until the 1990s, Buddhism was the leading religion in the country. However, now about 32% of the population identifies as a part of a Christian Church. Compared to this number, about 23% of the population identifies as part of Buddhism. The rest of the religious population is made up of those that practice Islam or the Bahai faith. Some people still practice native religions Shamanism and Chondogyo. Shamanism is a faith solely based on connecting with nature and its creation. It is a very spiritual faith with a large emphasis on healing traditions. Chondogyo is a native religion of the country. One of its main doctrines is the concept of “innaceheon”. This term means that everyone is equally important to each other person. Basically, everyone in the world is equal in the eyes of God, and therefore in reality. Regardless of the religion, however, the freedom to express whatever religion is guaranteed by the constitution along with no declared state religion.
Air Pollution in South Korea
Due to the severe air pollution and smog in Japan, China, and South Korea, the three countries have a yearly meeting to discuss how to prevent the spreading of such air pollution across the borders of each other’s countries. The three countries have been meeting since 1999 concerning these issues. The Environment Minister of the Republic of Korea is Yoon Seong-Kyu.
Aerospace Activity in South Korea
Since 1992, the Republic of Korea has launched 10 satellites to space using foreign rockets and launch pads from overseas. However, in 2008, the country achieved its first member to fly in space. Yi So-yeon flew in space while on the Russian aircraft, Soyuz TMA-12. The Naro Space Center, the country’s first spaceport, was completed in 2009, and its first successful launch was of January of 2013. The next expected launch will be in the year 2018.
South Korea Population Surpasses 50 Million