SEOUL – For the first time in history, the number of single-person households in South Korea has surpassed 10 million, underscoring a rapid and profound shift in the country’s demographic structure.

According to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as of Dec 31, 2024, South Korea's registered population was 51.2 million, a decline from 51.8 million in 2020. Although the population decrease has slightly slowed since peaking in 2022, the overall downward trend continues.

Amid this decline, the number of one-person households has steadily grown. In 2020, there were around 9 million such households. By 2024, the figure had increased by 2.8 percentage points to reach 10.1 million, reflecting both socioeconomic and cultural changes.

👵👨‍💻 Seniors and Millennials Driving the Trend

A major contributor to this rise is the growing number of older adults living alone. According to Statistics Korea, out of 5.65 million households with at least one member aged 65 or older, 2.13 million seniors were found to be living by themselves. The number of seniors living alone in 2024 rose by 37.8% from the previous year — continuing a trend seen since 2015.

But it’s not only the elderly. Many young Koreans in their 20s and 30s are also choosing to live independently, delaying or opting out of marriage altogether. Traditionally, leaving home was tied to marriage, but that mindset is shifting. Today’s youth increasingly view moving out as a step toward personal freedom, not family formation.

Of the 10 million single-person households, 3.81 million are seniors aged 60 and above, while 3.2 million are in their 20s and 30s, according to the Interior Ministry.

🧠 The Mental Health Challenge of Living Alone

Experts warn that while solo living may offer independence, it also comes with heightened risks.

“The makeup of single-person households reflects both Korea’s super-aged society and the economic challenges young people face,” said Professor Jung Jae-hoon from Seoul Women’s University’s Department of Social Welfare. “As living costs increase and birth rates fall, these patterns will become more common.”

Prof Jung also stressed the need for expanded mental health support, particularly for those living alone:

“Solo living increases the risk of loneliness, depression, and social isolation. We need to move beyond family-based welfare models and introduce targeted programs for the young and elderly who live alone.”

Without stronger mental health services and community engagement programs, he cautioned, the challenges associated with solo living could deepen as this trend grows.