South Korea
대한민국
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Did you know
On 28 June 2023 South Korea adopted the international age system; by the traditional count a baby is one year old at birth. (source)
Elders in numbers
- of people are 65 or older
- 20.3%
- people aged 65 or older
- 10.5M
- will be 65 or older in 2050
- 39.7%
- is how long people live after 60, on average
- 26 years
- of people 65+ live alone
- 20.2%
- women 25.7%, men 13.5%
Sources: World Bank, 2025; World Bank projection for 2050; WHO, 2023; UN, 2020
Languages
3 languages, 1 of them endangered
- JejuanDefinitely endangered
- Korean
- Korean Sign Language
Languages and their status: Glottolog v5.3, CC BY 4.0. Names: Wikidata.
UNESCO intangible heritage
- Knowledge, beliefs and practices related to jang making in the Republic of Korea2024
- Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea2022
- Falconry, a living human heritage2021
- Yeondeunghoe, lantern lighting festival in the Republic of Korea2020
- Traditional Korean wrestling (Ssirum/Ssireum)2018
- Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers)2016
- Tugging rituals and games2015
- Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea2014
Show all 23
- Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea2013
- Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea2012
- Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art2011
- Weaving of Mosi (fine ramie) in the Hansan region2011
- Jultagi, tightrope walking2011
- Daemokjang, traditional wooden architecture2010
- Gagok, lyric song cycles accompanied by an orchestra2010
- Cheoyongmu2009
- Ganggangsullae2009
- Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut2009
- Yeongsanjae2009
- Namsadang Nori2009
- Royal ancestral ritual in the Jongmyo shrine and its music2008
- Gangneung Danoje festival2008
- Pansori epic chant2008
List and years: ich.unesco.org
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