ISTANBUL 

South Korea has formally joined “super-aged” nations as 20% of its population has surpassed the age of 65 with women topping the list, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

The number of people aged 65 or older stood at 10.24 million of the country's total population of 51.22 million, the ministry data showed.

According to the UN, any country with more than 7% of the population 65 or older is an aging society, those with over 14% an aged society and those with more than 20% a super-aged society, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

South Korea is grappling with the demographic challenge of aging population and low birth rates.

“By installing a population-focused ministry, fundamental and systematic response measures are urgently needed,” said a ministry official.

The data showed women constitute 5.69 million, compared with 4.54 million men, of the total 10.24 million super-aged population.

South Jeolla province topped the regions with this age group while the central city of Sejong had the lowest share at 11.57%.

Capital Seoul accounted for 19.41% of the total super-aged population in the country.