The effects of regional characteristics on population growth in Korean cities, counties and wards

This study identifies the regional characteristics influencing population growth in Korean cities during 1980-2000. Our results indicate that regions followed the fortunes of industries to which regions had been initially exposed. The initial employment share of manufacturing industries positively affects population growth, even though the strength of impact decreases in recent periods, which is consistent with Glaeser et al. [Glaeser, E., Scheinkman, J., & Shleifer, A. (1995). Economic growth in a cross-section of cities. Journal of Monetary Economics, 36, 117-143]. The effect of education on population growth has been consistently positive over the period. It suggests that higher education level influences population growth through productivity externalities and knowledge spillovers. Our results also support the convergence hypothesis in Korea.