According to the national statistics agency, the percentage of South Koreans who would be living alone in 2050 is predicted to more than quadruple from the year 2000. This represents a change in the makeup of households, which contributes to the lowest fertility rate in the world.
In 2021, there were more single-person households (7.2 million, or one in three) than any other type of multiple-person family. According to Statistics Korea, the ratio, which was 15.5% in 2000, will likely increase to about 40% by the middle of the century.
The statistics show that families are changing as South Koreans adjust to social conventions and economic realities in a nation that is quickly developing. Although it still falls far short of Japan or Germany, South Korea now has a share of single-person homes that is roughly equivalent to that of the UK.
Nearly half of singles cited lack of money and job security as their reasons for not getting married, while 12% of respondents stated they felt burdened by having to raise children. 25% of respondents claimed they haven’t found the right match or don’t feel pressure to get hitched.
The country’s aging demographics will be further strained by the increase in one-person households.