Declining Student Population Forces Closure of 49 Schools in South Korea

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - South Korea is facing a major challenge in its education sector as 49 schools across various cities and provinces are set to close this year. The closures are due to a continuous decline in student enrollment, as reported by the Korea Herald on Sunday (2/23).

In recent years, the number of school closures due to a lack of students has steadily increased. In 2023, 22 schools were shut down, followed by 33 in 2024, and this year, the number has surged again.

According to data from South Korea's Ministry of Education, the majority of affected schools—around 88 percent—are located in rural areas. Meanwhile, in the capital city of Seoul, no schools are scheduled for closure. However, in Gyeonggi Province, the most populous region surrounding Seoul, six schools are at risk of shutting down.

South Jeolla Province has the highest number of affected schools, with 10 closures, followed by South Chungcheong Province with nine, North Jeolla Province with eight, and Gangwon Province with seven.

Of the total 49 schools set to close, the majority—38 schools—are elementary schools, while eight are middle schools and three are high schools.

The decline in student enrollment, particularly in rural areas, remains the main challenge, causing many elementary schools to lose students and ultimately shut down.