Changes in the spatial differences of immigrants by country of birth’s income between 2008 and 2021 in South Korea

Abstract

Immigrants play a new role in the spatial dynamics of residential segregation in South Korea. The featured graphic depicts changes in the geographical patterns of immigrant enclaves and the spatial segregation among four immigrant groups divided by the average per capita income of their birth countries from 2008 to 2021. Cartograms show that immigrants from advanced (Q1) economies concentrate in the center of Seoul, and enclaves formed by upper middle (Q2) economy-born groups are spatially isolated in the southwestern part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Immigrants from lower middle (Q3) and low-income (Q4) economies are more likely to reside in rural and industrial areas apart from Seoul Metropolitan Area. This study identifies that a deepening heterogeneity exists regarding the residential choice of immigrants, and socioeconomic backgrounds determine how each group will occupy specific places.