The looming milestone of one million people living with dementia is casting a long shadow over the nation’s social fabric. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 13 (Korea Bizwire) — With South Korea entering a super-aged society, the looming milestone of one million people living with dementia is casting a long shadow over the nation’s social fabric, presenting unprecedented challenges in caregiving and healthcare infrastructure.
According to data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on March 12, the number of people with dementia in South Korea has reached 970,000 this year. This figure is projected to surpass 1 million by 2026 and double to 2 million by 2044, painting a stark picture of the challenges ahead.
The surge follows South Korea’s elderly population exceeding 10 million last year, making the rise in dementia, predominantly an age-related condition, an inevitable consequence of the country’s demographic shift.
Perhaps most concerning is that more than half (52.6%) of people with dementia are in single-person households, while 27.1% live with spouses and 19.8% with their children. This demographic reality has created a complex web of caregiving challenges, with families spending an average of 18 hours per week caring for relatives with dementia, even when not living together.
The financial burden of care has emerged as the primary concern. The annual cost of supporting a single person with dementia reaches 17.3 million won for those living in their own housing and 31.4 million won for those in facilities or hospitals. Notably, caregiving costs account for 67% of total expenses for individuals living on their own, significantly outweighing medical costs at 25.3%.
“The financial strain is overwhelming,” said Seok Jae-eun, a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Hallym University. “Many families are struggling with both the emotional and economic burden of providing care, especially given our rapidly aging population and shrinking younger generation.”
The government has announced plans to strengthen the role of dementia care centers, of which there are 256 nationwide. These centers will enhance early detection services and intensive management of initial cases. The ministry also plans to expand in-home care services and gradually increase monthly allowances for severe cases to match the level of support provided to those in facilities.
Additionally, the family caregiver vacation system will be expanded from 22 to 24 days annually, providing much-needed respite for family caregivers.
The impact extends beyond individual families to strain the national health insurance system. Last year’s elderly disease benefits were estimated at approximately 6 trillion won, marking a 28% increase from 2019.
“There’s often unnecessary fear and misunderstanding about dementia,” Seok noted. “By improving public literacy about the condition and strengthening case management through dementia care centers, we can prevent the shift toward high-cost care structures.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
