{
  "id": 18869488,
  "title": "Korea's dependency ratio to rise from OECD's lowest to highest by 2048",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/koreas-dependency-ratio-to-rise-from-oecds-lowest-to-highest-by-2048",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T05:47:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/others/20261108/koreas-dependency-ratio-to-rise-from-oecds-lowest-to-highest-by-2048"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea is projected to have the highest total dependency ratio among OECD countries by 2048, according to recent population projections. This year, the ratio stands at 45.4, but it is expected to increase significantly to 90.2 by 2048, surpassing Greece's 90.1. The ratio is forecast to reach 117.3 by 2070, more than double its current level.\n\nThe dependency ratio is calculated by dividing the population aged 14 and younger and 65 and older by the population aged 15 to 64, for every 100 people in the working-age group. This measure reflects the age structure of the population, rather than actual financial obligations or employment levels.\n\nMost of the projected increase in the dependency ratio is attributed to the growing elderly population. The number of people aged 65 and older per 100 working-age people is expected to soar from 31.3 this year to 103.3 in 2070. The proportion of children, aged 14 and younger, is projected to remain steady around 14.\n\nCurrently, Korea's old-age dependency ratio ranks as the 18th-lowest among the 38 OECD members. By 2045, it is projected to climb to 68.4, overtaking Japan's 67.6.",
  "summary": "Korea is on course to have the highest total dependency ratio among OECD members by 2048, up from the lowest this year, as population aging and persistently low birthrates reshape the country's economy. Calculations based on the OECD’s latest population projections showed Sunday that the ratio will rise from 45.4 this year to 90.2 in 2048, exceeding Greece’s 90.1. It is forecast to reach 117.3 by…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea projected to have highest total dependency ratio among OECD countries by 2048.",
    "Dependency ratio expected to increase from 45.4 in 2023 to 90.2 by 2048.",
    "Aging population attributed to most of the projected increase in dependency ratio."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rapid shift in Korea's age structure places an unprecedented burden on the shrinking working-age population as the nation moves from having the lowest to the highest dependency ratio.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}