Story perspectives

South Korea Faces University Closures Amid Enrollment Crisis

2/3/2026

Center

Enrollment Decline Threatens Universities

Experts warn that record-low elementary enrollment could trigger the closure of more than 30 universities in South Korea within a decade.
In March, only 298,178 first graders are expected, a 44% drop from 2022.
The decline is attributed to rising living costs and changing family attitudes, while government restructuring efforts have not resolved shrinkage.
The total fertility rate rose slightly to 0.80 but remains far below the 2.1 replacement level.

Right

South Korea: Student Surge

South Korea hosted 253,400 international students in 2025, a 2.5-fold rise over a decade.
The growth follows stricter Western entry rules, pushing students to consider Asia.
North Korean defectors families face integration challenges, with a 2024 dropout rate of 2.2%, double the national average.
Education authorities should enhance support systems for these students, as AI affects job security and fuels parental anxiety about future careers.

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Enrollment Decline Threatens Universities

Experts warn that record-low elementary enrollment could trigger the closure of more than 30 universities in South Korea within a decade.
In March, only 298,178 first graders are expected, a 44% drop from 2022.
The decline is attributed to rising living costs and changing family attitudes, while government restructuring efforts have not resolved shrinkage.
The total fertility rate rose slightly to 0.80 but remains far below the 2.1 replacement level.

1 / 2