Less than half of South Koreans see need to reunify with North, survey finds

In 2026, South Korea's population is experiencing rapid aging, with over 20 percent of the country's population being individuals aged 65 and older. According to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, there were 11.12 million senior citizens in 2026, representing 21.6 percent of the 51.6 million total population. This aging trend is expected to continue, with the senior population rising to 30 percent by 2036 and over 40 percent by 2050.

The number of households led by senior citizens stands at 6.5 million, accounting for 28.8 percent of all households in the nation. Currently, 38 percent of these households are single-person dwellings, a figure that has been rising since 2015. Looking ahead, it is projected that senior-led households will make up 50.6 percent of all households in 2052.

The average remaining life expectancy for those aged 65 is 21.7 years, with men living, on average, 19.5 years beyond age 65 and women living an additional 23.7 years. In 2025, the average net assets of senior-led households amounted to 493 million won (US$363,000), and 91.2 percent of the elderly population received the state pension that year.

The employment rate among individuals aged 65 and older was 39.5 percent in 2025, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from the previous year, with this proportion having grown since 2015. Among seniors aged 65-79, 58.7 percent expressed a desire to work in the future, with financial concerns cited as the primary reason by half of them, followed by 38.7 percent citing the enjoyment of work.

Regarding their quality of life, 33.7 percent of senior citizens reported satisfaction with their current situation in 2025, a slight decrease of 1.8 percentage points from the previous year. Additionally, 29 percent expressed pride in their social and economic achievements. South Korea faces significant demographic challenges due to a growing number of young people delaying or abandoning marriage and parenthood, influenced by shifting social norms, a challenging job market, and rising housing costs.