Residential concentration of the new elite class between 2010 and 2020 in South Korea

Bibliographic Data

ID21248070
AuthorsJihan Park (0009-0007-1996-1142, Pusan National University), Donghyun Kim (0000-0003-3711-5103, Pusan National University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume52
Issue4
Pages1025-1027
Publication date2025-05-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2399-8083 • E-ISSN: 2399-8091
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/23998083241308653
OpenAlexW4405477513
LanguageEN
References cited3

Recently, a new elite class, often called the upper-middle class, has emerged as a distinct social group. This study aims to identify the spatial distribution of this new elite class in South Korea in the years 2010 and 2020. Using data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study, we defined new elites as those in 3-digit managerial and professional occupations with high wages (top 50%) and low property levels (bottom 50%). We utilized the Population and Housing Census to identify the spatial distribution of elite roles at the district level and visualized them using cartograms. We identified consistent elite concentrations in Seoul and southern Gyeonggi, but their presence was restricted to specific districts by 2020. Sejong emerged as an administrative hub attracting new elites. Moreover, Busan and Ulsan experienced increasing elite populations, whereas Gwangju and Daegu witnessed a decline. These findings highlight the growing spatial polarization of the new elite class. Our study provides a basis for policies aimed at improving educational opportunities and promoting social mobility

Census · Demographic economics · Economic geography · Economics · Elite · Geography · Middle class · Political science · Politics · Population · Social class · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Demography · Global Educational Reforms and Inequalities · Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies

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