Is your city a population-decline area?
Check Korea's 2026 list in seconds. Regional visas such as F-2-R are tied to these areas.
What it means for regional visas
Regional visas such as F-2-R work only where the city or county takes part in the Ministry of Justice program, and each one has its own quota. Before you plan a move, ask the city or county office's foreign resident desk, or call 1345.
All areas on the 2026 list
89 population-decline areas, 9 areas of concern and 12 vitality plus areas, by province.
Gyeonggi (경기)4
- Gapyeong-gun (가평군)Population-decline area
- Dongducheon-si (동두천시)Population-decline area
- Yeoncheon-gun (연천군)Population-decline area
- Pocheon-si (포천시)Area of concern
Incheon (인천)3
- Ganghwa-gun (강화군)Population-decline area
- Ongjin-gun (옹진군)Population-decline area
- Jemulpo-gu (제물포구)Vitality plus area
Gangwon (강원)16
- Goseong-gun (고성군)Population-decline area
- Samcheok-si (삼척시)Population-decline area
- Yanggu-gun (양구군)Population-decline area
- Yangyang-gun (양양군)Population-decline area
- Yeongwol-gun (영월군)Population-decline area
- Jeongseon-gun (정선군)Population-decline area
- Cheorwon-gun (철원군)Population-decline area
- Taebaek-si (태백시)Population-decline area
- Pyeongchang-gun (평창군)Population-decline area
- Hongcheon-gun (홍천군)Population-decline area
- Hwacheon-gun (화천군)Population-decline area
- Hoengseong-gun (횡성군)Population-decline area
- Donghae-si (동해시)Area of concern
- Gangneung-si (강릉시)Vitality plus area
- Sokcho-si (속초시)Vitality plus area
- Inje-gun (인제군)Vitality plus area
Chungbuk (충북)6
- Goesan-gun (괴산군)Population-decline area
- Danyang-gun (단양군)Population-decline area
- Boeun-gun (보은군)Population-decline area
- Yeongdong-gun (영동군)Population-decline area
- Okcheon-gun (옥천군)Population-decline area
- Jecheon-si (제천시)Population-decline area
Chungnam (충남)9
- Gongju-si (공주시)Population-decline area
- Geumsan-gun (금산군)Population-decline area
- Nonsan-si (논산시)Population-decline area
- Boryeong-si (보령시)Population-decline area
- Buyeo-gun (부여군)Population-decline area
- Seocheon-gun (서천군)Population-decline area
- Yesan-gun (예산군)Population-decline area
- Cheongyang-gun (청양군)Population-decline area
- Taean-gun (태안군)Population-decline area
Daejeon (대전)3
- Daedeok-gu (대덕구)Vitality plus area
- Dong-gu (동구)Vitality plus area
- Jung-gu (중구)Vitality plus area
Jeonbuk (전북)11
- Gochang-gun (고창군)Population-decline area
- Gimje-si (김제시)Population-decline area
- Namwon-si (남원시)Population-decline area
- Muju-gun (무주군)Population-decline area
- Buan-gun (부안군)Population-decline area
- Sunchang-gun (순창군)Population-decline area
- Imsil-gun (임실군)Population-decline area
- Jangsu-gun (장수군)Population-decline area
- Jeongeup-si (정읍시)Population-decline area
- Jinan-gun (진안군)Population-decline area
- Iksan-si (익산시)Area of concern
Jeonnam-Gwangju (전남광주)17
- Gangjin-gun (강진군)Population-decline area
- Goheung-gun (고흥군)Population-decline area
- Gokseong-gun (곡성군)Population-decline area
- Gurye-gun (구례군)Population-decline area
- Damyang-gun (담양군)Population-decline area
- Boseong-gun (보성군)Population-decline area
- Sinan-gun (신안군)Population-decline area
- Yeongam-gun (영암군)Population-decline area
- Wando-gun (완도군)Population-decline area
- Jangseong-gun (장성군)Population-decline area
- Jangheung-gun (장흥군)Population-decline area
- Jindo-gun (진도군)Population-decline area
- Hampyeong-gun (함평군)Population-decline area
- Haenam-gun (해남군)Population-decline area
- Hwasun-gun (화순군)Population-decline area
- Yeonggwang-gun (영광군)Vitality plus area
- Dong-gu (동구)Vitality plus area
Gyeongbuk (경북)19
- Goryeong-gun (고령군)Population-decline area
- Mungyeong-si (문경시)Population-decline area
- Bonghwa-gun (봉화군)Population-decline area
- Sangju-si (상주시)Population-decline area
- Seongju-gun (성주군)Population-decline area
- Andong-si (안동시)Population-decline area
- Yeongdeok-gun (영덕군)Population-decline area
- Yeongyang-gun (영양군)Population-decline area
- Yeongju-si (영주시)Population-decline area
- Yeongcheon-si (영천시)Population-decline area
- Ulleung-gun (울릉군)Population-decline area
- Uljin-gun (울진군)Population-decline area
- Uiseong-gun (의성군)Population-decline area
- Cheongdo-gun (청도군)Population-decline area
- Cheongsong-gun (청송군)Population-decline area
- Gimcheon-si (김천시)Area of concern
- Yecheon-gun (예천군)Area of concern
- Chilgok-gun (칠곡군)Area of concern
- Gyeongju-si (경주시)Vitality plus area
Daegu (대구)3
- Gunwi-gun (군위군)Population-decline area
- Nam-gu (남구)Population-decline area
- Seo-gu (서구)Vitality plus area
Gyeongnam (경남)13
- Geochang-gun (거창군)Population-decline area
- Goseong-gun (고성군)Population-decline area
- Namhae-gun (남해군)Population-decline area
- Miryang-si (밀양시)Population-decline area
- Sancheong-gun (산청군)Population-decline area
- Uiryeong-gun (의령군)Population-decline area
- Changnyeong-gun (창녕군)Population-decline area
- Tongyeong-si (통영시)Population-decline area
- Hadong-gun (하동군)Population-decline area
- Haman-gun (함안군)Population-decline area
- Hamyang-gun (함양군)Population-decline area
- Hapcheon-gun (합천군)Population-decline area
- Sacheon-si (사천시)Area of concern
Busan (부산)6
- Geumjeong-gu (금정구)Population-decline area
- Seo-gu (서구)Population-decline area
- Yeongdo-gu (영도구)Population-decline area
- Buk-gu (북구)Area of concern
- Jung-gu (중구)Area of concern
- Dong-gu (동구)Vitality plus area
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부), re-designation announced 7 October 2026.
What is a population-decline area?
Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety names the cities, counties and districts where population loss is most serious. It first named 89 population-decline areas and 18 areas of concern in 2021. On 7 October 2026 it updated the list to 92 and 18.
The 2026 list uses nine measures: yearly population change, the share of older residents, the share of children, the birth rate, young people moving in or out, the local government's own revenue share, built-up land, the number of employed people, and the number of people who live, work or spend time in the area.
Areas whose numbers improved now count as vitality plus areas (인구활력+지역). They leave the list but keep their existing support for 5 years. In 2026 that is 3 former decline areas and 9 former areas of concern.
Why it matters if you live or work there
The special law for these areas (인구감소지역 지원에 관한 특별법) gives them 44 special rules plus tax breaks. Examples the ministry gives: a tax break on a second home in the area, a bigger acquisition tax cut on a first home, and easier job and visa-status rules for foreign residents.
For visas, the area matters for F-2-R, the regional residence visa. Our F-2 visa guide explains who qualifies and how the points work.
Questions people ask
How many population-decline areas are there in 2026?
92 population-decline areas and 18 areas of concern, as re-designated on 7 October 2026. Of these, 3 decline areas and 9 areas of concern improved enough to become vitality plus areas, which keep their support for 5 years.
Which areas are new on the 2026 list?
Geumjeong-gu in Busan, Dongducheon-si in Gyeonggi and Tongyeong-si in Gyeongnam became population-decline areas. All three were areas of concern in 2021. Buk-gu in Busan, and Yecheon-gun and Chilgok-gun in Gyeongbuk, became areas of concern.
Can I get an F-2-R visa in any of these areas?
Not automatically. F-2-R works only where the city or county takes part in the Ministry of Justice regional visa program and still has quota. Ask that office's foreign resident desk, or call 1345, before you plan a move.