Data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Tuesday revealed that the number of single households in South Korea exceeded the 10 million mark for the first time in history. The number stood at 10,021,413, accounting for 41.8 percent of total households as of March 2024. In February 2024, there were 9,981,702 single-person households.
Breaking down the figures by age group, individuals aged between 60 and 69 represented the largest group, with 1,851,705 households. The 30~39 age group came second with 1,684,651 households, followed by the 50~59 age group with 1,644,482 households. The number of households for individuals aged 70 years and older stood at 1,982,970.
The rise in single-person households has been rapid in South Korea. Data from the national statistics office shows that the proportion of single-person households consisting of individuals aged 65 and above has gradually increased from 19 percent in 2017 to 21.1 percent in 2023. The number of South Koreans aged 65 or older reached 9.4 million in 2023.
Meanwhile, the number of married couples continues to decline due to high expenses and job insecurity. In 2023, approximately 194,000 South Korean couples tied the knot. Despite various government incentives, including cash rewards, aimed at encouraging childbirth, many women prioritize their careers and opt to delay or forgo having children.
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