Gangjin County sees rising birth rates and prepares for highway economic impact

Gangjin County has reported a steady increase in its total fertility rate following the implementation of a childcare allowance policy in October 2022. Under this program, eligible families receive 600,000 KRW per month per child for up to seven years, totaling a maximum of 50.4 million KRW. The fertility rate rose from 0.89 in 2022 to 1.65 in 2025, ranking the county among the top three nationally for three consecutive years.

In addition to demographic shifts, the county is preparing for economic changes brought by the upcoming opening of the Gangjin-Gwangju highway. Local officials held a brainstorming session to develop strategies for maximizing regional economic revitalization, focusing on increasing weekend and stay-over tourism to boost local consumption and population growth.