Approximately 3,000 elderly individuals in Seoul make a living by collecting waste paper. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that approximately 3,000 elderly individuals in Seoul make a living by collecting waste paper, shedding light on the economic challenges faced by the city’s aging population.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government released the findings on July 10, based on a comprehensive study conducted from February to May, with additional follow-up research. The report, submitted to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, offers a stark portrait of urban poverty among the elderly.
According to the data, the average monthly income for these paper collectors is 895,000 won, slightly higher than the national average of 766,000 won for similar work. This figure includes all sources of income, such as basic pensions and labor earnings.
The survey identified 3,007 elderly paper collectors in Seoul, with women comprising 69% of this group. Age-wise, those 80 and older represented the largest segment at 47% (1,412 individuals), followed by those in their 70s at 41% (1,231 individuals), and those in their 60s at 12% (364 individuals).
Nearly half of these seniors (1,468 or 49%) participated in government-sponsored job programs for the elderly. Specifically, 1,253 individuals were involved in 14 project groups across 13 districts, earning an average of 305,000 won from these activities.
An additional 215 seniors were engaged in various other jobs, including environmental sanitation, school zone traffic safety, and elderly care services.
The study also revealed that 23% of these paper collectors were recipients of basic livelihood security benefits, while 84% of those aged 65 and over received basic pension support.
In response to these findings, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to provide low-intensity job opportunities that offer stable income, aiming to eliminate the need for elderly citizens to resort to paper collection for survival.
This initiative seeks to prevent long-term poverty and minimize welfare gaps.
To achieve this goal, the city will designate dedicated agencies in all 25 districts to assist elderly paper collectors in transitioning to alternative employment.
These agencies will offer comprehensive support, from job searching to matching individuals with suitable low-intensity work based on their health conditions and preferences.
For the relatively younger demographic in their 60s, the city plans to actively connect them with public sector jobs, such as welfare facility assistants, or private sector opportunities like walking couriers.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
