Daegu holds forum to address youth population outflow

The 2026 Population Issue Daegu Forum will be held on the 26th at Kyungpook National University to address the continuous outflow of young people from Daegu. The event, co-hosted by the Population Health and Welfare Association and the Population Strategy Committee, aims to move beyond traditional birth-rate incentives and focus on creating environments where youth can live, work, and settle in the region.

Data from the Daegu Policy Institute indicates that the net outflow of residents in their 20s reached 4,884 last year. Experts warn that the departure of young women and university graduates could weaken regional growth drivers and impact marriage and birth rates. The forum will feature presentations on analyzing outflow factors, building life-cycle ecosystems, and creating preferred job environments.

In a separate move, Daegu Mayor Chu Kyung-ho has ordered a precise analysis of the structural causes behind low youth employment rates in the city. He has requested collaboration with experts from the Bank of Korea and the Daegu Policy Institute to diagnose specific issues and ensure that effective support measures are reflected in next year’s budget.