{
  "id": 678208,
  "title": "Koreans live long, but not happily, OECD data shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/koreans-live-long-but-not-happily-oecd-data-shows",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260813/koreans-live-long-but-not-happily-oecd-data-shows"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea emerges atop the list of housing quality among 38 OECD nations, yet finds itself positioned toward the lower end when assessing social connections and life satisfaction. Overall, the nation secures a mid-ranking position, nestled within the middle tier, as issues such as strained social ties and less-than-ideal labor conditions weigh down the overall quality of life. These findings were unveiled on Monday within an independent well-being assessment titled \"Trends and Implications of the OECD Better Life Index\" by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The assessment, derived from the recently updated Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index, scrutinizes living conditions across 11 distinct dimensions, encompassing housing, health, education, environment, and social connections. The results fluctuate significantly across categories. While Korea claims the top spot in housing and secures second place in knowledge and skills, it settles in the bottom tier for other facets, ranking 35th in subjective well-being, 36th in job quality, and 37th in social connections. Housing evaluation hinges on overcrowding and housing affordability. Korea's housing domain receives an 8.97-point rating, signifying subpar performance.",
  "summary": "Korea ranked first in housing among 38 OECD countries but placed near the bottom in social connections and life satisfaction. The country ranked 19th overall, placing in the middle tier, as weak social ties and poor labor conditions dragged down quality of life despite generally strong material conditions. The findings were published Monday in an independent well-being assessment titled \"Trends…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea ranks top in housing quality among OECD nations",
    "Low social connections and life satisfaction place Korea lower",
    "OECD assessment covers 11 dimensions of well-being"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Koreans live long, but not happily, OECD data shows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/koreans-live-long-but-not-happily-oecd-data-shows-679068",
        "published": "2026-08-12T16:42:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}