South Korea pediatric resident numbers drop 81% in five years

The number of pediatric residents in South Korean training hospitals has plummeted by approximately 81% over the last five years. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare provided to lawmaker Sobyeong-hun, only 113 pediatric residents remain nationwide as of September, compared to 593 in 2021.

A severe regional imbalance has emerged, with 78.8% of all remaining residents (89 individuals) concentrated in Seoul. In contrast, provinces such as Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, and Sejong reported zero pediatric residents. Gyeonggi Province also faces a critical shortage, with only two residents currently practicing.

The recruitment crisis is further highlighted by the 2025 training year results, where 85.2% of the 61 training hospitals nationwide failed to recruit a single first-year resident. Most of the successful recruitments were concentrated in major Seoul institutions like Asan Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital.

Factors contributing to the decline include low compensation, high workloads, and increased legal risks regarding medical malpractice. Additionally, the ongoing medical standoff between the government and doctors has accelerated the exodus of medical staff.