The rate of satisfaction among farmers in terms of livelihood improved from 32.5 percent in 2011 to 40.7 percent in 2017. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Roughly 30 percent of South Koreans living in urban areas want to return to the countryside, but the numbers are slowly in decline, a recent study has revealed.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) conducted a survey of 1,521 farmers and 1,500 city residents, in which 34.6 percent of city residents were willing to return to the countryside following retirement, because they want to spend a healthy life in nature (46 percent) or enjoy a free lifestyle (21.4 percent).
Fewer people, however, were willing to return to the countryside, going from 63.7 percent in 2011 to 44.1 percent in 2017.
Among farmers, 23.3 percent said they were satisfied with their occupation, while 3 in 10 (33.3 percent) said otherwise.
Another 42.7 percent of farmers said they were satisfied with their life in the countryside, while 18.5 percent said otherwise.
The rate of satisfaction among farmers in terms of livelihood improved from 32.5 percent in 2011 to 40.7 percent in 2017.
As for the biggest threat to their work, farmers chose rising production costs (45.6 percent), lack of workforce (44.9 percent), and difficulty in finding proper distribution channels (28.5 percent).
“As more baby boomers are retiring and considering returning to the countryside, local communities should be willing to help them deal with various problems they may face in the countryside, and push for programs that support and encourage young generations to settle in the farming business for sustainable development,” said a KREI official.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
