Seoul, South Korea – The number of individuals living alone in South Korea has reached a record high, surpassing 8 million, according to newly released government data. This trend is expected to continue its upward trajectory as the nation grapples with a persistently low birth rate and an aging population.
The Ministry of Welfare’s latest Social Security Fact Book reveals that the number of single-person households reached 8.05 million by the end of 2024. This figure now accounts for a significant 36.1% of all households in the country.
The increase in solo households has been steady and substantial. In 2015, the number stood at 5.2 million, climbing to 6.64 million by 2020, representing 31.7% of all households. This marked the first time single-person households exceeded 30% of the total.
Projections indicate a continued rise in this demographic. Experts predict that the number of people living alone will reach 8.55 million by 2027, 9.71 million by 2037, and potentially 9.94 million by 2042.
This demographic shift coincides with South Korea officially becoming a “super-aged” society last year, with the population of those aged 65 and over exceeding 10 million for the first time. This means that over 20% of the population is now considered elderly, posing significant challenges for the nation’s social security and healthcare systems.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation and its impact on South Korean society.
Keywords: South Korea, Aging Population, Solo Households, Low Birth Rate, Demographics, Social Security
