South Korea Cremation Rate Climbs to 94 Percent as Facility Shortages Deepen in Major Cities

National Cremation Rate Hits Record High in 2024​

Seoul, February 15: South Korea’s cremation rate continues its steady upward climb, intensifying concerns over potential shortages of cremation facilities, particularly in densely populated cities such as Seoul and Busan.

Fresh data released on Sunday showed that the national cremation rate reached 94 percent in 2024, up from 92.9 percent in 2023. The figures were compiled by the Bank of Korea and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The rise reflects a long-term structural shift in funeral practices across the country. The cremation rate stood at 33.5 percent in 2000, climbed to 67.5 percent by 2010, and further advanced to 89.9 percent in 2020 before reaching its current peak.

Supply Constraints Intensify in Urban Centers​

Despite the consistent rise in demand, the supply of cremation facilities has failed to keep pace. The shortfall is particularly pronounced in major metropolitan areas, where waiting times remain elevated.

The proportion of cremations conducted within three days of death fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from 86.2 percent in 2019 to 73.6 percent in 2022. The rate has yet to fully recover and currently stands at 75.5 percent in 2025.

In Seoul, only 69.6 percent of cremations were completed within three days, while Busan recorded 67.1 percent. Both figures remain below the national average, underscoring the strain on urban facilities.

Super-Aged Society Driving Future Demand​

South Korea officially entered a super-aged society last year, with more than 20 percent of its population aged 65 and above. Demographic projections indicate that annual deaths are expected to surge from 310,000 in 2020 to 700,000 by 2070.

The sharp rise in the elderly population, combined with prevailing funeral customs that favor cremation, is expected to intensify pressure on existing infrastructure.

Proposed Solutions: Small-Scale Cremation Units​

In a recent report, the Bank of Korea suggested that small-scale, privately led cremation facilities could help address capacity constraints. The proposal includes introducing compact cremation units within hospital funeral halls, leveraging already established healthcare infrastructure distributed nationwide.

The report emphasized that modern cremation technology enables environmentally friendly operations and called for a comprehensive overhaul of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks to facilitate expansion.

With cremation now firmly established as the dominant funeral practice in South Korea, policymakers face mounting urgency to expand capacity before demographic pressures further strain the system.