South Korea's population is rapidly aging, with one in three citizens living alone. The country's demographic shift is occurring at an unprecedented pace, with single-person households surpassing 36% in 2024 and the senior citizen population reaching 10 million. This trend is projected to continue, with single-person households expected to reach 8.55 million by 2027, 9.71 million by 2037, and nearly 10 million by 2042. The aging population is a significant challenge, with a decline in the number of children and a corresponding drop in childcare infrastructure. The number of daycare centers has plummeted from 43,770 in 2013 to 27,387 in 2024, while education-related spending has climbed, with private education participation reaching a record-high 80% in 2024. South Koreans visit the doctor far more frequently than those in other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with an average of 18 visits per year in 2023, compared to the OECD average of 6.7 visits.
