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Daily Busan

Busan gets better and better

 

Busan has made significant strides in recent years and is undergoing rapid development across various sectors. The progress is evident in the city's welfare, economy, tourism and job market, reflecting City Hall's comprehensive development strategy.

■Improving quality of life and citizens' satisfaction

　Busan's commitment to improving quality of life has yielded notable results. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2024, Busan is ranked as the sixth most livable city in Asia.

　The Global Liveability Index assesses which locations worldwide provide the best or worst living conditions. Cities are evaluated on over 30 factors across five categories: Stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

　Busan achieved a score of 87 points, placing it alongside Singapore and Hong Kong, cities renowned for their advanced infrastructure and high quality of life.

　Citizens' satisfaction is also reflected in national surveys. Busan topped the National Assembly Futures Institute's 2023 Korean Happiness Survey, indicating Busanites' overall satisfaction with the city and local living conditions.

　Additionally, a study by Save the Children and Seoul National University's Institute of Social Welfare identified Busan as the city with the highest quality of life for children in Korea.

■Innovative initiatives and sustainability efforts

　Busan's urban development policies have garnered international recognition. The Deullak Nallak: Busan Children's Cultural Complex - Playful City Initiative won the 2024 SDG City Awards, which honor exemplary urban sustainability programs in the Asia Pacific region.

　The Deullak Nallak program achieves three goals. First, it slows urban decay by reviving idle spaces. Second, it closes the gap in regional education services by offering citizens free access to cultural, counseling and educational programs. Finally, it promotes Busan as a safe environment where all children have access to a healthy life, a crucial factor in combating the region's population decline.

　There are 105 Deullak Nallak centers citywide and another 26 under construction, with hopes to establish 200 in total. As of last year, Deullak Nallak centers have welcomed 1.2 million visitors and scored an 88% satisfaction rate.

　Another award-winning program is Our Neighborhood ESG Centers, which won a prestigious 2025 Green World Award for carbon reduction. Launched in 2022, Our Neighborhood ESG Centers feature older adults participating in the recycling and upcycling of recyclable materials.

　The Green World Awards recognized the innovative approach of leveraging the "silver workforce" for sustainability. This initiative creates a virtuous circle for resources that are no longer in use while also reinvigorating the spirit of local community. The program also includes older adults teaching children the importance of protecting nature and building environmental awareness.

■Tourism and Global Recognition

　Busan's growing appeal as a tourist destination provides a strong foundation for its global reputation. In 2024, the city welcomed 2.93 million international tourists, the highest number in a decade. This figure surpasses the pre-pandemic record of 2.68 million and represents a nearly 60% increase from 2023.

　City officials attribute this surge in tourism to Busan's rising global recognition, including its inclusion in the New York Times article "5 Cities with Great Beaches," tourism offerings like the Arte Museum, and targeted promotional efforts such as the Visit Busan Pass.

■Economic growth and technological advancement

　Busan's economy has strengthened considerably. The youth employment rate rose from 43.6% in 2022 to 46.6% in the second quarter of 2024, marking the highest growth since statistics were first recorded. 

　From 2021 to 2024, Busan attracted approximately 11.5 trillion won in corporate investments, a record high. These investments reflect the city's strategic focus on developing Fourth Industrial Revolution industries and attracting companies that specialize in semiconductors, quantum computing, data centers, biotechnology, and future mobility.

　Examples include investments from EYEQ Lab, a next-generation power semiconductor company, which will relocate its headquarters and establish production facilities in Busan. Additionally, Renault Korea has already upgraded its Busan manufacturing plant and will establish a research and development center.

　Busan's steady progress in creating an innovative and finance-friendly environment has paid dividends. London-based think tank Z/Yen ranks Busan 13th out of 77 cities on its Smart Centres Index 10, which evaluates the innovation and technology offerings of commercial hubs worldwide. 

　Furthermore, Busan is ranked 25th among 121 cities in Z/Yen's Global Financial Centres Index 36, a prominent ranking of the world's financial hubs. The 25th-place standing is an indication of Busan's emerging role in the robust Asian financial landscape.

Deullak Nallak spaces citywide boast cutting-edge media centers.

 

Millak Beach Park, at Gwangalli Beach, has a seasonal garden.

Haeundae Beach is a go-to leisure spot for residents and visitors.