Full Breakdown
South Korea Faces School Closures Amid Declining Student Population
12/28/2025, 10:31:18 PM
Overview of School Closures
South Korea is experiencing significant changes in its educational landscape due to a sharp decline in student numbers. As of December 28, 2023, more than 4,000 schools have permanently closed across the nation, according to data obtained by Representative Jin Sun-mee of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea from the Ministry of Education. The total number of closed institutions stands at 4,008, comprising 3,674 elementary schools, 264 middle schools, and 70 high schools. Over the past five years, 158 schools have shut down, with an additional 107 closures anticipated in the next five years.
Demographic Factors Driving Change
The primary driver behind these closures is South Korea's historically low birth rate, which remains the lowest in the world, with a total fertility rate below 0.8. This figure is significantly below the 2.1 children per woman needed to maintain a stable population. The decline in student enrollment is particularly pronounced in non-metropolitan areas, leading to a disproportionate number of school closures outside the capital region.
Regional Impact of Closures
The closures are not uniform across the country. North Jeolla Province has recorded the highest number of school closures, with 16 schools affected, followed by South Jeolla Province with 15, Gyeonggi Province with 12, and South Chungcheong Province with 11. Among the closed schools, 376 remain unused, with 266 of these having been abandoned for over a decade and 82 for more than 30 years.
Educational Adjustments and Responses
In response to the declining student population, the South Korean government has implemented various measures. For the 2025 academic year, the Education Ministry announced a reduction of 2,232 teaching positions, including 1,289 elementary school teachers and 1,700 middle school teachers. Provincial and metropolitan education offices have also adopted temporary solutions, such as lowering class sizes to approximately 10 to 15 students and increasing the number of classes to accommodate the remaining students.
Criticism and Future Considerations
Critics, including Representative Jin Sun-mee, have emphasized the need for a long-term strategy to repurpose closed schools as community assets. Jin stated, “A significant number of schools have already closed, and more are expected to shut down due to declining student numbers.” This sentiment underscores the urgency for policymakers to address the implications of these closures on local communities and educational infrastructure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A significant number of schools have already closed, and more are expected to shut down due to declining student numbers,” — Jin Sun-mee, Representative, Democratic Party of Korea
The ongoing demographic crisis in South Korea poses challenges not only for the education sector but also for the broader societal structure, necessitating comprehensive planning and community engagement to navigate the future landscape of education in the country.
