대학신문방송국

The Increase of Single-Person Households

By Choi Yong-il Reporter, Junior of Chemical and Biological Engineering

In the past, the ordinary family composition in Korea was a household of parents and children living under one roof. However, this structure has changed in recent years. According to Statistics Korea, in 2023, the number of single-person households in South Korea reached 7.829 million, comprising 35.5 percent of all households. This is a consistent increase from 15.5 percent in 2000. In contrast, the proportion of four-person households declined from 31.1 percent to 13.3 percent over the same period. As more people choose to live alone, significant changes are taking place in housing, consumption patterns, culture, and society. The increase in single-person households is not just a statistical shift, but an important trend throughout Korean society. Let’s explore the background of this trend and the resultant social and economic changes.

• Causes of the Increase in Single-Person Households

1. Spread of Non-Marriage Culture

In the past, marriage was considered an essential process in life. Today, younger generations see marriage as a choice rather than a necessity. Particularly among people in their 20s and 30s, marriage is often delayed or avoided due to economic burdens, shifts in personal values, and concerns about balancing career and life. The rapid increase in house prices has made it difficult for newlyweds to get a house, and the economic pressure of raising children further discourages marriage. In addition, with society giving more value to work-life balance, prioritizing happiness over family life has also become more common.

2. Aging Society

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, South Korea officially became a super-aged society in 2024, with those aged 65 and older accounting for over 20 percent of the total population. As a result, the number of elderly households living alone who let their spouses go first or live apart from their children is also increasing rapidly. In the past, elderly parents often lived with their children, but the culture of parents and children living independently has been established due to nuclear familyization and changes in the way they live. Moreover, as older people become more economically independent, some choose to live alone voluntarily.

3. Economic Uncertainty for Young People.

Over the past few years, economic uncertainty has increased in Korean society, increasing the burden of marriage and starting a family. In particular, employment difficulties and income stagnation among young people lead to choices that do not postpone marriage or start from the beginning. According to the 2023 Youth Economic Activity Survey conducted by Statistics Korea, employment rates for young people in their 20s and 30s have stagnated, and temporary work has increased. This makes it difficult for young adults to be economically independent, and consequently, they settle for living alone as a practical choice. Marriage in the past was considered a means of social stability, but today’s young people prioritize personal development and self-satisfaction and are once again promoting the increase in single-person households.

As such, the number of single-person households is steadily increasing due to various social and economic factors. However, this phenomenon is bringing about major transformations in society and the economy.

• Changes Brought by the Increase in Single-Person Households

1. Changing Meaning of Family

In the past, families in Korea were considered blood-based units of support and emotional stability. However, as single-person households increase, the meaning of family is evolving. Various forms of life are emerging, including non-marriage households that do not choose to get married, households that choose to live independently after divorce, and single-person households of the elderly who live alone. Now, there is a growing trend of emphasizing individual autonomy and independent life. Thus, new lifestyles that deviate from traditional family structures are increasing.

2. Expansion of Single-Person Consumer Culture

The increase in single-person households is reshaping consumption patterns. Convenience stores and food delivery chains have seen significant growth, and customized subscription services such as Netflix, YouTube Premium, and coffee subscription plans are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, the solo dining and drinking culture has led to the opening of single-serving restaurants, and the beverage market is serving individual consumers by offering smaller product sizes.

• Advantages and Disadvantages of the Increase in Single-Person Households

First, as a social advantage, living alone allows individuals to design their lives based on personal values and preferences. As an economic advantage, an increase in single-person households encourages diversity in career choices and work styles, leading to a more flexible labor market and the creation of new job opportunities. Moreover, single-person household consumption patterns are different from existing family unit consumption, and various industries can grow accordingly. This can be used as a springboard for new consumption market and economic growth opportunities.

On the other hand, a social disadvantage of the increase in single-person households is the weakening of traditional family structures, which may lead to an increased risk of solitary deaths among the elderly and increased social isolation among the young. With more time spent alone, mental health problems such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety are likely to increase. Growth in the single-person household population contributes to falling marriage and birth rates, exacerbating the low birth and aging population rates. This could lead to chronic labor shortages and increased costs for pension and welfare programs. Individuals in single-person households bear the full burden of living costs, making financial stability difficult to achieve. Compared to family households, they lack economic and emotional support structures, which could lead to difficulties in preparing for old age. 

The increase in single-person households is no longer a temporary phenomenon but is positioned as a continuous change in social structure. The change is restructuring consumption patterns and industrial structures, with both opportunities and challenges. If the government and businesses design policies and services appropriate for single-person households, they can mitigate disadvantages while promoting economic and industrial benefits. Adapting to these societal changes will be a crucial challenge for both individuals and society.