Number of single-person households continues to grow

Office workers drink coffee in Seoul's business district of Yeouido on June 9, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - An increasing number of South Koreans are opting to live alone. According to a report released by Statistics Korea on Thursday, the number of single-person households surpassed 8 million last year, up a whopping 616,000 households from a year ago.

Those who live alone are increasingly likely to be employed, with some 5.1 million having jobs, up 426,000 from the previous year.

By area, Gyeonggi Province had the highest number of employed single-person households at 1.23 million, followed by Seoul with about 1.06 million and South Gyeongsang Province with 312,000.

Among single wage earners, 31.9 percent earned between 2 million won and 3 million won per month (US$1,450 to $2,200), while 25.3 percent made between 3-4 million won and 2.1 percent more than 4 million won.

Meanwhile, the number of dual-income households stood at 6.09 million, accounting for nearly half of all married households or 48 percent, a slight decrease from the previous year.

The proportion of dual-income couples was largest among married households in their 30s at 61.5 percent, followed by 40-somethings at 59.2 percent.

Kim Hee-su khs@ajunews.com

Number of single-person households continues to grow

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