The Korea Local Administration Review

South Korea has faced a demographic crisis due to declining birth rates and rapid ageing, resulting in a decrease in the total population. This demographic challenge is exacerbated by the uneven distribution of the population, with prosperous cities offering better liveability and more economic opportunities. It has led to young people leaving mainly rural and peripheral areas, resulting in a decrease in the number of households, the collapse of local communities, and long-term deprivation. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that considers the interplay of various factors and potential solutions. A deep understanding of the characteristics of each region in South Korea is vital to tackle demographic challenges from a local government perspective. To this end, we propose a new conceptual framework, regional vitality, for assessing the appropriate level of demographic and economic activities using novel data sources. This framework helps regions to develop their pathways to tackle population decline. Our findings reveal that designated depopulation regions experienced relatively higher volatility in the social vitality index while relatively lower volatility in the economic vitality index, as measured by the coefficient of variation, compared with other regions in South Korea. The methodology presented in this study provides a fresh and locally informed perspective on addressing the population decline in South Korea and can help pave the way for local governments to revitalise their regions.