🇰🇷 South Korea's population peaked at 51.8 million in 2020.
By 2072: projected 36.2 million - a 30% decline in 50 years.
By 2050: working-age population shrinks by over 20 million.
Nearly half the country will be 65 or older.
49 schools closed in 2025 due to lack of students.
120,000 more people died last year than were born - the 5th consecutive year of natural decline.
SOURCE: Statistics Korea / NBC News Jan 2025.