Tongyeong: population and official figures
In depth
- Health in Tongyeong: The Ministry of Health and Welfare estimates 2,759 people aged 65 or over in Tongyeong had dementia in 2025, or 8.9% of the 31,072 people in that age group (close to the national figure of 9.1%). The figure is an estimate that applies national age-and-sex rates from the 2023 dementia survey to the local population. Tongyeong ranks 13th lowest estimated dementia rate of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Tongyeong: 11,319 people in Tongyeong in 8,248 households were eligible for the basic livelihood security programme (customised benefits) in December 2025, or 97.7 for every 1,000 registered residents (South Korea: 55.4). Eligible means entitled to benefits, whether or not they were paid out. Tongyeong ranks the highest share eligible of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
What is the population of Tongyeong?
Tongyeong had 115,838 registered residents on 30 September 2026, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety resident registration count across 15 neighbourhoods (eup, myeon and dong). Tongyeong holds 0.23% of the 51.08 million people registered in South Korea. Tongyeong ranks 7th smallest of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea) · saved copyWhat percentage of people in Tongyeong are over 65?
28.7% of the registered residents of Tongyeong were aged 65 or over on 30 September 2026 (South Korea: 22.1%), and 8.6% were under 15 (South Korea: 10.0%). Working-age people (15 to 64) made up 62.6%. Tongyeong ranks 9th oldest by share of residents aged 65+ of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea) · saved copyWhat is the average age in Tongyeong?
The average age of registered residents of Tongyeong was 49.6 years on 30 September 2026, above the national figure of 45.8 years. Tongyeong ranks 9th oldest of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea) · saved copyAre there more men or women in Tongyeong?
Tongyeong had 101 men for every 100 women among registered residents on 30 September 2026 (58,237 men and 57,601 women; South Korea: 99). Tongyeong ranks 16th most male of 36 South Korean cities covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea) · saved copyHow many elderly people live in Tongyeong?
33,299 registered residents of Tongyeong were aged 65 or over on 30 September 2026, and 3,194 of them were aged 85 or over.
Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea) · saved copyWho runs Tongyeong?
In South Korea, cities and towns are run by upper-level local governments: Mayor or governor and council directly elected for four years; superintendent of education also directly elected. Regional planning, roads, transport, police support (autonomous police), education (via the education office).
How local power works in South Korea
Cities of a similar size in South Korea
- Jinju 333,850
- Iksan 266,458
- Gyeongsan 262,849
- Gunsan 255,575
- Gyeongju 242,405
- Geoje 228,629
- Icheon 227,007
- Seogwipo 178,294
- Dangjin 172,300
- Seosan 170,634
- Andong 151,366
- Gimcheon 132,274
- Sacheon 107,862
- Nonsan 105,661
- Jeongeup 100,531
- Gongju 99,424
Up a level: all cities in South Korea · South Korea · government and power
Sources
- Ministry of Health and Welfare (Republic of Korea): Dementia status by city, county and district, 2016-2025 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 85455041c38b…)
- Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA): Diabetes treatment statistics by city, county and district, 2025 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 547bd6a4555a…)
- Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA): Health-care institutions registered with the insurance service, as of 31 December 2025 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bb10d7930007…)
- Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Republic of Korea): Ministry of the Interior and Safety: resident registration population by sex and age, by neighbourhood, 30 September 2026 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 23a269d2fd75…)
- Korea Road Traffic Authority: Road traffic accident statistics by city, county and district, 2025 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 077c48b46c23…)
- Korea Social Security Information Service: People eligible for welfare programmes by city, county and district, December 2025 (open file on the Public Data Portal), read 30 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 157ececacb6e…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.