From 2013 to 2023, South Korea's municipal waste treated has shown a general upward trend, with the amount recorded at 23.05 million metric tons in 2023. This represents a 5-year CAGR of 2.42%, highlighting steady growth over the past few years. However, year-on-year growth rates dipped close to 0.74% in recent years, indicating a deceleration compared to the peak 6.56% in 2020.
Future trends suggest that from 2024 to 2028, growth is expected to further moderate, averaging an annual rate of 0.56%, with a forecasted total increase of 2.83% over five years. Key factors to monitor will include advancements in recycling technologies, changes in public policy, and potential impacts of environmental sustainability initiatives on waste generation and treatment practices.
