South Korea records over 10 million single-person households
South Korea has recorded more than 10 million single-person households in 2024, which is a first in the country's history and signifies a rapid shift in the nation’s demographic structure.
According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as reported by The Korea Herald, the country now has a total population of 51.2 million as of Dec 31, 2024, which is lower than the 51.8 million recorded in 2020.
The total number of households meanwhile stood at 24.12 million, and from this number, 10.12 million were single-person households. This shows that 42% of all households now consist of just one person, an increase from 9 million in 2020.
The news outlet stated that the "growing number of older adults living alone contributed to the rise of one-person households."
Statistics Korea previously reported that out of the 5.65 million households with family members aged 65 and above, 2.13 million seniors were found to be living alone. This figure has been steadily increasing since 2015.
Another fact that led to the rise of single-person households was the increasing trend of young Koreans delaying marriage and choosing to live alone after university or when obtaining employment.
"Traditionally, leaving one’s parents’ home was closely tied to marriage and starting a family. However, this perception has seen a shift in recent years, with many young Koreans in their 20s and 30s viewing moving out as a step toward personal independence rather than preparation for marriage," the report explained.
Jung Jae-hoon from Seoul Women’s University’s Department of Social Welfare told the news outlet that the makeup of single-person households shows the country's "status as a super-aged society and the reluctance of many young people to move out due to the burden of high living costs."
"As living costs climb and birth rates fall, such household patterns are expected to remain the norm in Korean society," he added.
He warned that while living alone can represent independence, it may also lead to loneliness, depression, and isolation.
"Public health policies need to expand beyond family-centered support systems to include tailored mental health and community programs for solo households, for the elderly and the young," Jung said.
To address the issue, the government has previously launched a so-called "Loneliness-Free Seoul" initiative to help deal with loneliness amid the rising number of single-person households and senior citizens living by themselves.
It includes a 24-hour hotline where callers can talk to trained counselors offering emotional support and assess mental health needs.