The percentage of single-person households in Gyeonggi Province has exceeded 30 percent of all households in the province. (Image courtesy of Gyeonggi Province)
SUWON, Dec. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – The percentage of single-person households in Gyeonggi Province has exceeded 30 percent of all households in the province.
According to the “2023 Gyeonggi Province Single-person Household Statistics” report released on Thursday, there were 1.64 million single-person households recorded at the conclusion of the 2022 census, constituting 30.2 percent of the total number of households in the province (5.47 million). This figure is equivalent to 21.8 percent of single-person households nationwide.
Surprisingly, despite the rising trend in single-person households, the satisfaction level among individuals living alone is quite positive. Based on the 2022 Gyeonggi Province Social Survey, approximately half (52.9 percent) of single-person households expressed satisfaction with their family relationships.
The prevailing marital status among these households is unmarried (48.2 percent), and the most common perspective on marriage is “it’s okay to get married or not to get married” (43.5 percent).
Over the last four years, the proportion of single-person households in Gyeonggi-do has steadily increased: 25.2 percent (1.18 million households) in 2018, 26.3 percent (1.29 million households) in 2019, 27.5 percent (1.46 million households) in 2020, and 29.2 percent (1.53 million households) in 2021. By age group, individuals in their 30s constitute the largest proportion (19.8 percent), followed by those in their 20s (16.8 percent), 50s (16.4 percent), and 60s (16.1 percent).
Regarding housing types, a greater percentage of households reside in “living arrangements other than a house,” with a smaller proportion choosing “apartments.”
Approximately 3 in 10 (29.9 percent) single-person households reported an average monthly income of less than 1 million won, which is 2.5 times higher than the average for all households (12.1 percent). Notably, 7 out of 10 (71.3 percent) of households receiving National Basic Livelihood Security in Gyeonggi Province are headed by a single person.
The 2020 Family Status Survey revealed that the primary reasons for solo living in Gyeonggi Province included study/work (24.6 percent), the desire to live alone (20.5 percent), and the death of a spouse (18.4 percent).
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
