A nighttime view of Yeongdo and the Nampo-dong area as seen from Busan’s Namhang Bridge (Yonhap)
BUSAN, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — More than half of Busan residents say they feel heavily burdened by their children’s education expenses, which now average 860,000 won (about $660) per month, according to the city’s latest annual social survey.
The 2025 Busan Social Survey, released Friday and based on responses from 31,774 residents, paints a detailed portrait of economic pressures, daily satisfaction, and shifting civic priorities in South Korea’s second-largest city.
Work, Income, and Housing Pressures
Just over half of respondents (51.9 percent) said they were satisfied with their current working conditions. When asked what policies the city should prioritize to expand employment, 47.1 percent cited job creation, while 24.9 percent pointed to corporate attraction and employment promotion.
Income satisfaction remains low: although 82.3 percent of respondents reported having income, only 25.9 percent said they were satisfied with what they earn. Household debt affects 36.2 percent of residents, with 71.3 percent citing housing rental or purchase as the primary reason.
A view of Busan as seen from Sanbok Road (Yonhap)
Education Costs a Major Strain
Education emerged as one of the most pressing household burdens.
Average monthly spending per household reached 224,000 won for public education and 639,000 won for private tutoring. Overall, 59.1 percent said education expenses weighed heavily on their finances.
Only 37.3 percent were satisfied with the quality of public education, and just 29.1 percent felt their children had adequate learning opportunities outside regular schooling.
Childcare environment satisfaction was somewhat higher at 54.6 percent.
A city view of Busan taken from a high-rise building (Yonhap)
Quality of Life: Infrastructure Strong, Culture Weaker
A large majority of residents (77 percent) said they want to continue living in Busan. Satisfaction with basic infrastructure — such as water and sewage systems — was relatively high at 61.4 percent. Public transit also received strong marks: 70.7 percent were satisfied with the subway, light rail, and Donghae Line services, and 55.9 percent expressed satisfaction with taxis.
Cultural and leisure amenities, however, ranked far lower. Only 24.1 percent were satisfied with cultural and recreational facilities, and 25.5 percent with their leisure activities. Just 47.1 percent had attended a cultural or arts event in the past year.
Digital entertainment dominates weekend habits: 70.4 percent said they typically watch online video content on weekends or holidays.
Now in its 30th year, the Busan Social Survey has been conducted annually since 1996 and serves as a key source of data for the city’s long-term policy planning.
Busan, a port city located in the southwest of the peninsula, is the second most populated city in Korea. (image: Wikimedia)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
