The National Data Agency is conducting the 2025 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Census to survey farming and fishing households across South Korea [1, 2].
This comprehensive data collection is essential for the government to address rapid environmental shifts in rural areas. By identifying current trends in land use and management, officials can create targeted policies to combat rural decline.
The census focuses on the scale, structure, distribution, and management types of the nation's agricultural and fishing sectors [1, 2]. This effort is specifically designed to respond to the challenges of population decline and an aging workforce in rural communities [1, 3].
The National Data Agency said the census is conducted every five years [2]. The current phase of the survey is scheduled to run through the 22nd of the month [2].
The agency said it intends to use the results to secure basic and critical indicators for future policy formulation [1, 3]. This involves mapping the exact distribution of agricultural and fishing operations to understand where resources are most needed — a process critical for maintaining food security and rural stability.
Because the survey targets all households involved in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries nationwide, the scope of the data collection is extensive [2]. The government is prioritizing the accuracy of these indicators to ensure that the 2025 data reflects the actual state of rural management [1, 2].
“The census focuses on the scale, structure, distribution, and management types of the nation's agricultural and fishing sectors.”
The census serves as a primary diagnostic tool for the South Korean government to quantify the impact of rural depopulation. By updating these metrics every five years, the state can determine if current subsidies and modernization efforts are successfully slowing the migration of youth to urban centers or if more aggressive interventions are required to sustain the national food supply.
