2005년과 2015년 인구 총조사 결과 비교를 통해서 본 불교, 개신교, 천주교 인구 변동의 특징 - 연령과 행정구역을 중심으로

Abstract

This study aims to understand the change of religious population (Buddhism, Protestantism, and Catholicism) in Korea by means of comparatively analyzing the result from the national census in 2005 and 2015 in terms of age groups and administrative divisions. The change can be characterized into five points. Firstly, the non-religious took over the religious. The result of 2015 census shows that there are more the non-religious than the religious. Since the decrease of religious infant, child, youth (20s and 30s) and middle aged (40s) groups is larger than the increase of the religious in prime aged (50s) and elderly (over 60s) groups. This change can be considered as a secularization phenomenon. Secondly, the increase and decrease of the religious can be considered from the perspective of age groups. The Buddhist population was rapidly decreased in general. Since the decrease of Buddhist in infant, child, youth, and the middle aged groups is larger than the increase of Buddhist in the prime aged and elderly groups. The Protestant population was increased in general. Since the increase of Protestant in the middle aged, the prime aged, and elderly groups is larger than the decrease of Protestant in infant, child, and youth groups. The Protestant population begins to increase in the age group of 40-44 years old. However, the population of other religions does not begin to increase at this age. This increase may have an implication to rational choice theory. And it can be conceived as a phenomenon of de-secularization or re-sacralization within secularization of Korean society. Catholic population was decreased in general, because the decrease of Catholic in infant, child, youth, and the middle aged groups is larger than the increase of Catholic in the prime aged and elderly groups. Thirdly, from the perspective of administrative division (Myeon, Eup, and Dong), the non-religious took over the religious. Also, the religious were decreased more in cities than provinces. In tandem with, the non-religious were increased more in cities than provinces. Buddhism remains strong in rural areas (Myeons and Eups). However, it decreased in rural as well as urban areas. Meanwhile, the Protestant population was increased in urban and rural area. Protestantism remains strong in urban areas (Dongs). This indicates that Protestantism is predominant in urban areas. The Catholic population was decreased in rural and urban areas. But there are more Catholics in urban areas than rural areas. Fourthly, it is still worth to note that Buddhism is strong in eastern part of Korea, whilst Protestantism is strong western part of Korea. However, it is important to note that Buddhist population was decreased in every cities and provinces. Especially the decrease of Buddhist population took place in Youngnam area including Daegu, Ulsan, Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do. They are cities and provinces where Buddhism has been strong. But Protestant population from 2005 to 2015 was increased in those cities and provinces. Finally, in capital area including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do, there are more non-religious than the religious. Also, it is clear that Protestant population was increased in capital area between 2005 and 2015 meanwhile Buddhist and Catholic population in capital area were decreased in same period.