The proportion of single-person households in South Korea surpassed 35% in 2023. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The proportion of single-person households in South Korea surpassed 35% in 2023, reaching an all-time high, according to a report released by Statistics Korea on December 9. This shift reflects broader societal changes, including aging demographics and evolving living arrangements.
Single-person households totaled 7.83 million last year, accounting for 35.5% of all households. This marks a steady rise from 30% in 2019, with older adults driving the increase.
For the first time, individuals aged 70 and above represent the largest share (19.1%), overtaking those under 29 years (18.6%). Among women, 28.3% of single-person households are over 70, compared to 9.9% for men.
Economic challenges are prevalent within this group. The average annual income for single-person households was 32.23 million won, just 44.9% of the national average for all households. Over half earn less than 30 million won annually, and nearly 70% do not own a home.
Despite these financial constraints, single-person households are a growing force in the workforce, with employed individuals rising to 4.68 million in 2023. Middle-aged individuals (50–64 years old) form the largest share of this demographic at 26.5%.
Social safety and stability remain critical concerns. Over 26% of single-person households perceive society as unsafe, citing crime (17.2%) as the top concern, followed by economic risks (16.9%) and national security (16.5%).
Calls for policy support are growing, with housing stability (37.9%), caregiving services (13.9%), and mental health support (10.3%) identified as key needs.
This trend highlights the profound impact of demographic shifts on South Korea’s housing market, labor force, and social policies, underscoring the need for targeted measures to address the unique challenges faced by single-person households.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
