일제강점기 인구추정 및 도시화율에 대한 재검토

초록

Based on the assessment that previous studies on urbanization during the Japanese colonial period did not estimate urbanization rates through rigorous analytical procedures, this study independently reconstructs nationwide and urban population figures and derives corresponding urbanization rates. In particular, because reliable statistical data are unavailable for the period 1907–1920, the study estimates both the national and urban populations for these years and conducts an analysis using the reconstructed series. National population figures were estimated by applying the trends reported in the Statistical Yearbook of the Government-General of Korea to the benchmark values from the Population Census, from which household numbers and average household size were derived. Urban population figures were back-estimated from the 1925 Population Census by incorporating the growth rates reported in the Statistical Yearbook. The analysis indicates that demographic transition in Joseon began after 1920, while urbanization commenced after 1925. With respect to primacy analysis, the overall urban primacy of Joseon was not high and continued to decline, a pattern attributable to the growth of intermediate cities. In contrast, among major cities, Gyeongseong maintained a very large share, although its dominance gradually diminished as industrialization progressed.

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