All scores were lower than those 10 years later, meaning many South Koreans believe overall social conditions will improve over the next decade. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, March 15 (Korea Bizwire) – South Koreans’ trust in society has worsened over the past decade, and they are highly discontent with the level of the country’s social unity, a report said Wednesday.
The report, based on a survey of 3,667 adults taken in June and July last year, showed that South Koreans rated their level of social trust for 2016 at 3.8 points out of a full 10.
A number close to zero means people have little trust in society, while 10 translates into complete confidence.
The score for 2016 was down 1.47 points from 10 years earlier, but the score for 2026 was slightly higher at 3.91, according to the report by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA).
In the survey, the respondents rated South Korean society in five categories — trust, tolerance, dynamism, hope and cooperation — for 2006, 2016 and 2026.
According to the findings, the respondents rated the level of social tolerance at 3.79 points for 2016, dynamism at 4.03 points and hope at 3.76 points.
All scores were lower than those 10 years later, meaning many South Koreans believe overall social conditions will improve over the next decade.
“In order to improve South Korea’s low level of social unity, efforts should be made to secure objective conditions for improving people’s participation in social activities, including more leisure time,” the KIHASA report said.
(Yonhap)
