The data highlights South Korea’s position as one of the most frequent users of outpatient medical services among developed nations. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
SEOUL, April 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Koreans visited outpatient clinics an average of 18 times per person in 2024, excluding dental care, a figure nearly three times higher than the average among OECD member nations, according to a government report released Tuesday.
The data, compiled by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), marks a 2.9 percent increase from the previous year and underscores Korea’s status as one of the heaviest users of outpatient medical services among advanced economies.
According to the report, women in South Korea visited outpatient clinics an average of 21.9 times in 2024, while men recorded 17.4 visits. The frequency of visits generally rose with age, peaking at 40.9 visits annually among those aged 75 to 79. Only the 20–24 age group remained in single digits, averaging 8.9 visits.
This pattern is expected to intensify as South Korea transitions into a super-aged society, HIRA noted. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, including arthritis and osteoporosis, accounted for the highest number of outpatient treatments—an average of 3.7 visits per person annually.
A doctor examining a visiting patient for vascular disease. (Yonhap)
When dental visits are included, the national average rose to 19.6 visits per person, with Seoul (22.8), Daegu (22.5), and Busan (22.2) topping the list of regions with the most frequent visits. Dental visits alone averaged 1.7 per person, up from 1.6 in 2023 and higher than the OECD average of 1.0.
Despite the increase in visits, patient satisfaction showed a modest decline across several metrics. In 2024, 82.5 percent of patients aged 16 and over felt they had sufficient consultation time, down from 83.4 percent the year prior. Similarly, those who found medical explanations easy to understand dropped slightly from 92.2 percent to 91.8 percent.
The percentage of patients who felt they had the opportunity to ask questions or express concerns declined to 88.2 percent from 91.0 percent. Meanwhile, those who reported being treated with respect fell from 95.5 percent to 93.4 percent.
Concerns around affordability also grew. The proportion of patients who canceled appointments due to cost rose from 1.5 percent in 2023 to 2.7 percent in 2024. Among the lowest income group, that rate surged from 3.1 percent to 6.0 percent.
Researchers warned of deepening disparities in healthcare access. “Ongoing monitoring of these gaps is essential to prevent further inequality in the healthcare system,” HIRA emphasized.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
