Issue Growth of single-person and multicultural households

Summary

Falling marriage rates, later or no marriage, divorce and separation and the growth of older people living alone are rapidly increasing single-person households, underpinned by low fertility, ageing and a spreading culture of individualism. Single-person living has become Korea's most common household type and is growing among the fastest in the OECD, creating mismatches with social systems designed for multi-member families. The result is surging demand for small homes, heavier housing costs and deepening social isolation and care gaps, with many single-person households reporting loneliness, especially middle-aged men and low-income groups. Meanwhile foreign residents supply labour to manufacturing and rural areas, and international marriage and immigration are steadily increasing multicultural households, whose members face language and cultural barriers, education gaps and discrimination. The survey sees Korea as an early-stage immigrant society that needs integration policies across education, health, housing and employment, differentiated by regional concentration of foreign residents.