SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's total population was expected to peak in 2030 before turning to decline a year later, the statistical agency said Wednesday.

The country's total population would reach its peak at 52.16 million in 2030, up from 49.41 million tallied in 2010, according to the report by Statistics Korea. The population was forecast to start contracting from 2031 to fall to as low as 43.96 million in 2060.

The economically active population aged 15-64 was predicted to peak at 37.04 million, or 72.9 percent of the population, in 2016 before starting to shrink a year later, according to the report. The population participating in economic activities would decline to as low as 21.87 million by 2060.

The senior citizens aged 65 or more would come to 12.69 million by 2030, more than double the 5.45 million recorded in 2010, according to the report. The elderly group was expected to soar to 17.62 million in 2060.

The decline in working people and the rise in the elderly mean the economic burden on younger generations would become heavier. The agency forecast that every worker in the country would support one senior citizen or child in 2060 amid accelerating population aging.