Seoul: The cremation rate in South Korea continues to be on a steady rise, data showed Sunday, prompting concerns over potential shortages of cremation facilities, especially in densely populated major cities, such as Seoul, amid the rapid aging of the population.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the national cremation rate reached 94 percent in 2024, an increase from 92.9 percent the previous year, based on data from the Bank of Korea (BOK) and the welfare ministry.
The trend has been consistently upward over the past decades, with the rate climbing from 33.5 percent in 2000 to 67.5 percent in 2010, and further increasing to 89.9 percent by 2020. Despite this growing preference for cremation, the availability of facilities has not kept pace with the demand, particularly in major urban centers like Seoul.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of cremations conducted within three days of death declined from 86.2 percent in 2019 to 73.6 percent in 2022. This figure has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, currently standing at 75.5 percent in 2025. Seoul and Busan reported even lower rates last year, with 69.6 percent and 67.1 percent respectively, both falling short of the national average.
Experts emphasize the need for more cremation facilities due to the rapid aging of the population and existing funeral customs. South Korea transitioned into a super-aged society last year, with over 20 percent of its population aged 65 and older. Projections suggest the annual number of deaths will rise from 310,000 in 2020 to 700,000 by 2070.
The BOK suggests that privately led, small-scale cremation facilities could address the shortage, particularly through the incorporation of small cremation units at hospital funeral halls. The widespread distribution of hospital infrastructure across regions could facilitate this solution. The BOK also highlighted the capability of modern technology to enable environmentally friendly operation of cremation facilities, advocating for significant reforms in relevant laws and regulations.
Source: Yonhap News Agency