OpenAI’s ChatGPT (Image courtesy of Pexels/CCL)
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s Statistical Office released its 2024 Social Trends report on December 19, revealing significant insights into the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs, rising obesity rates, and shifting societal behaviors.
AI and Job Displacement
AI technologies like ChatGPT could replace 2.7 million jobs, nearly 10% of the nation’s total workforce. The study found that all office roles are exposed to AI to some extent, with management positions showing the highest exposure at 65.1%. Jobs in marketing, writing, and travel services are particularly vulnerable.
However, the report also noted that while 9.8% of jobs could be replaced by AI, 16% of occupations may benefit from AI assistance. Younger workers (under 44) and those in high-paying roles are more likely to work in AI-related fields.
Rising Obesity Rates
Obesity is becoming a growing public health issue in South Korea. As of 2022, 37.2% of adults were classified as obese, up from 30.9% in 2014. Men (47.7%) were nearly twice as likely to be obese as women (25.7%). Among teenagers, obesity rates have doubled over the past decade to 12.1%.
Obesity-related health risks are also increasing. Deaths linked to diseases exacerbated by obesity rose 7.5% year-over-year, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for 43.2% of these deaths, followed by cancer (37.4%) and endocrine disorders (10.4%).
Leisure and Well-Being in Middle Age
Among South Koreans aged 50–64, television remains the most common leisure activity (40%), followed by walking (10.3%). Active leisure activities, such as walking, ranked highest in satisfaction (8.9 out of 10), underscoring the well-being benefits of physical activity.
Subjective well-being for middle-aged adults was similar to younger generations but higher than for older adults. Perceptions of loneliness strongly influenced overall emotional health, with those feeling isolated experiencing higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Climate Change and Agriculture
Climate change is significantly affecting South Korea’s agriculture. Between 1975 and 2024, production of staple crops like rice, soybeans, and potatoes decreased by 42.7–73.0%. Regional disparities were also observed, with rice productivity stagnating in Jeollanam-do (4.6%) but growing rapidly in Gangwon-do (28.9%) over the past three decades.
The findings underscore the challenges and transformations facing South Korea, from adapting to technological advancements and addressing public health issues to mitigating the effects of climate change on key industries.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
