South Korea’s school enrollment for kindergarten through high school has fallen to its lowest level in decades, even as the number of students with immigrant backgrounds has reached an all-time peak. The decline in overall enrollment reflects broader demographic trends, including a shrinking population and lower birth rates, while the rise in immigrant-background students highlights growing cultural and educational diversity within the country’s education system. Experts suggest the shifts may strain school resources and require new policies to address both the aging student body and the needs of an increasingly multicultural student population. The data underscores a pivotal moment for South Korea’s education sector as it navigates competing challenges in enrollment and integration.
Korea’s K-12 enrollment hits record low as immigrant-background students hit record high Hankyoreh : English Edition
