Goheung-gun in South Jeolla Province tops list of counties with most centenarians

Goheung-gun in South Jeolla Province has the highest concentration of centenarians among South Korea's 229 cities, counties and districts, according to newly released government data.

The figures, submitted by the Ministry of Statistics to Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Nam In-soon of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, show the population aged 100 or older grew 32.58 percent — from 6,563 in 2021 to 8,701 in 2025.

As of 2025, men account for 1,459 of that total, or 16.77 percent, while women number 7,242, or 83.23 percent — nearly five times as many.

Among all cities, counties and districts, Goheung-gun in South Jeolla Province recorded the highest rate of centenarians per 100,000 residents at 86.8, followed by Yeongyang-gun in North Gyeongsang Province at 84, Bonghwa-gun in North Gyeongsang Province at 83.1, and Hadong-gun in South Gyeongsang Province at 76.2.

At the other end of the scale, Buk-gu in Ulsan had the lowest rate at 4.7 per 100,000, followed by Jung-gu in Ulsan at 5.5, Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province at 6.9, Gwanak-gu in Seoul at 7.5, and Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province at 8.3.

"With the number of centenarians approaching 9,000, yet many still struggling with poverty and caregiving burdens, we must strengthen retirement income security and care support," Nam said.