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Busan’s Environmental Industry Records Five Consecutive Years of Growth, Accelerating the Green Transition Through Expanded Jobs and Investment

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it is releasing the results of the “2024 Busan Environmental Industry Survey,” which analyzed the status of all environmental businesses in Busan with at least one employee, conducted from July 7 to July 28.

Environmental industry statistics in Korea are compiled by the Ministry of Environment only through an annual nationwide sample survey. In contrast, Busan Metropolitan City’s “Environmental Industry Survey” is the only survey nationwide that covers the entire population of environmental businesses.

The “Busan Environmental Industry Survey” was first conducted in 2021 as approved national statistics, with the aim of supporting the development of low-carbon, eco-friendly industries. This year marks the fifth survey.

This survey (based on 2024 data) targeted approximately 9,000 businesses that are engaged in (or had engaged in) environmental industry activities as of December 31, 2024. It was conducted through in-person interviews and online questionnaires, covering 44 items including: ▲number of employees ▲sales and exports ▲investment ▲policy needs, and more.

According to the results, as of 2024, Busan’s environmental industry recorded: ▲8,102 businesses (up 3.8% year-on-year), ▲37,423 employees in the environmental sector (up 5.7% year-on-year), ▲KRW 9.2203 trillion in environmental-sector sales, and ▲KRW 1.2240 trillion in environmental-sector exports.

By sector, “Resource Circulation Management (45.3%)” accounted for the largest share, while the water management, sustainable environment, and air management sectors also grew steadily.

Over the past five years, Busan’s environmental industry expanded substantially in both the number of businesses (up 34.9%) and employment (up 29.0%), while also achieving qualitative growth. Sales per business reached KRW 1.138 billion, up 26.7% from 2020 (KRW 0.898 billion).

Environmental industry businesses were concentrated in Gangseo-gu, Haeundae-gu, and Sasang-gu, while some areas such as Buk-gu (up 10.6%) and Dongnae-gu (up 9.6%) saw notable growth. Environmental-sector employment was high in Gangseo-gu, Gijang-gun, and Geumjeong-gu, indicating that the industry base is spreading across the city.

In 2024, investment aimed at preparing for the future of the environmental industry increased sharply. Total investment reached KRW 320.8 billion (up 80.3%), and the number of environmental technical personnel expanded to 5,675 (up 22.7%). This was analyzed as the result of increased land and facility investment to drive structural transformation amid a market adjustment phase.

Busan’s businesses indicated that “funding and technology support” is their most pressing need. “Funding (79.5%)” was cited as the main challenge, and the most preferred policy measures were “loans and financial support (75.4%)” and “support for technology development (31.4%).”

Policy information was primarily obtained through “media and publications (59.8%)” and “internet searches (46.1%).”

More detailed results of the 2024 Busan Environmental Industry Survey can be found on Busan’s Big Data Wave at data.busan.go.kr.

Mayor Park Heong-joon said, “The environmental industry is a new growth engine for Busan’s economy in the era of carbon neutrality. We will do our utmost to realize Busan as a leading city for the green transition by significantly expanding financial, technological, and export support that companies can truly feel.”