In 2025, the total population covered by medical security in South Korea reached 53,020,000, according to the 2025 regional medical utilization statistical yearbook released by the National Health Insurance Service on November 2, 2026. This population count includes 51,390,000 individuals under health insurance and 1,630,000 under medical aid.
Older adult population grows across regions
The total medical security population grew by 0.04% compared to the previous year, but the demographic makeup shifted toward older adults. The population aged 65 and older climbed to 11,003,000, representing a 5.8% increase from the prior year and a 23.4% jump from 2021. In contrast, the population under 65 fell by 1.4% to 42,019,000.
The concentration of older adults varied widely by region. South Jeolla Province recorded the highest proportion of residents aged 65 and older at 27.7%, followed by North Gyeongsang at 26.7%, Gangwon at 26.4%, North Jeolla at 26.0%, and Busan at 24.9%. In these five regions, at least one in four residents was 65 or older. Conversely, Sejong posted the lowest proportion of older adults at 12.1%, followed by Gyeonggi at 17.4% and Ulsan at 18.2%.
Did You Know? The medical security population entered the 52 million range in 2015 at 52,034,424 before reaching the 53 million range ten years later by the end of 2025.
Medical expenditures rise nationwide
Nationwide medical security expenditures totaled 137,509,800,000,000 won in 2025, marking a 7.37% increase from the 128,075,100,000,000 won recorded the previous year. Across the country, the average monthly medical cost per person reached 228,871 won.
Regional spending figures showed a wide gap between the highest and lowest points of utilization. South Jeolla recorded the highest average monthly medical cost per person at 281,892 won, alongside the longest average monthly inpatient and outpatient days at 2.35 days. North Jeolla followed with 271,798 won per month, Busan with 267,401 won, and North Gyeongsang with 250,761 won. On the other end of the spectrum, Sejong recorded the lowest average monthly medical cost at 179,888 won and the shortest average monthly hospital stay at 1.67 days, making it the only municipality where average monthly medical expenses stayed below 200,000 won.
Expert Insight: The convergence of rapid population aging in agricultural provinces and lower medical expenditures in newly developed administrative zones highlights a structural divergence in South Korea’s healthcare utilization. Regions with older demographic profiles consistently shoulder heavier per capita medical burdens, while newer urban hubs maintain lower baseline utilization rates due to younger resident profiles.
Among major diseases tracked per 100,000 residents, periodontal disease was the most frequent at 45,336 cases, followed by infectious diseases at 20,937 cases, hypertension at 15,380 cases, arthritis at 14,641 cases, mental illness at 9,097 cases, and diabetes at 8,295 cases.
For major cancers per 100,000 residents, breast cancer was most common at 551 cases, followed by colon cancer at 326 cases, stomach cancer at 315 cases, bronchial and lung cancer at 277 cases, liver cancer at 160 cases, and cervical cancer at 98 cases. Breaking down cancer rates by region, Seoul showed the highest breast cancer rate at 622 cases per 100,000 residents, Gangwon and North Gyeongsang recorded the highest colon cancer rates at 411 and 392 cases respectively, and South Jeolla recorded the highest rates for bronchial and lung cancer at 351 cases and liver cancer at 258 cases.
This distribution intersected with a growing concentration of patients traveling to Seoul for major care. Out of 15,103,432 patients treated in Seoul medical institutions, 6,320,397 patients—or 41.8%—resided outside the capital. These out-of-town patients spent 12,068,800,000,000 won in Seoul hospitals. The concentration was particularly acute for inpatient care, where regional patients accounted for 45.2% of total inpatient spending in Seoul hospitals, reflecting a persistent reliance on capital-area medical infrastructure for serious diagnoses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total medical security population in South Korea at the end of 2025?
The total medical security population reached 53,020,000 at the end of 2025, which included 51,390,000 individuals under health insurance and 1,630,000 under medical aid.
Which region recorded the highest average monthly medical cost per person?
South Jeolla Province recorded the highest average monthly medical cost per person at 281,892 won, while Sejong recorded the lowest at 179,888 won.
What were the most frequent major diseases and cancers reported per 100,000 residents?
Periodontal disease was the most frequent major illness at 45,336 cases per 100,000 residents, while breast cancer was the most common major cancer at 551 cases per 100,000 residents.
How will regional healthcare disparities and the concentration of patients in capital-area hospitals influence upcoming policy measures for provincial medical facilities?
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