Survey Finds Nearly Half of Korean Disability Caregivers Are Alone in Their Role (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly half of caregivers for people with developmental disabilities in South Korea are providing care alone, often without any backup support in emergencies, according to a nationwide study released Sunday.
The survey, commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, analyzed responses from 3,182 individuals with developmental disabilities and 2,649 caregivers across five regions between February and June 2024.
It provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of the physical and psychological toll on families caring for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and related conditions.
Key findings reveal that 43% of caregivers reported having no one to share caregiving responsibilities, while 25.3% said they had no substitute caregiver available during emergencies.
The burden is falling disproportionately on women—71.5% of caregivers were female, and 60.9% were mothers. Fathers accounted for 19.1%, while spouses, siblings, and grandparents made up smaller portions.
1 in 10 Caregivers of the Disabled in Korea Considered Suicide, Study Reveals (Image supported by ChatGPT)
Over half of all caregivers were between the ages of 40 and 59, with many spending an average of over 9 hours a day on care, although just over half reported at least 5 hours of daily caregiving.
The age of those receiving care skews young but adult: 36.9% were between 20 and 39, followed by 31.8% aged 40 to 64. Children and teenagers (0–19) made up about a quarter of respondents.
The mental health toll on caregivers was pronounced. 63.7% reported frequent anxiety about the future, while 37.2% said they often felt in need of rest, and 34.4% struggled to go out, dine, or take vacations.
Alarmingly, 10.1% of caregivers said they had seriously considered suicide within the past year. Among them, 18.7% had made concrete plans, and 9.3% had attempted to follow through.
Additionally, 18.5% expressed a desire to seek psychological counseling, and 7.9% were currently taking medication for mental health issues, primarily for depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders.
The findings highlight a mounting caregiving crisis in South Korea’s social safety net, where family members—mostly aging parents—are the primary line of support for people with developmental disabilities.
Experts say more structured respite care, mental health services, and institutional support are urgently needed to relieve pressure on families and ensure sustainable long-term care.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
