South Korea’s demographic landscape is undergoing a notable transformation, marked by the persistent growth of single-person households and shifting internal migration patterns, according to recent official data. The rising trend of solo living, fueled by population aging and changing social conventions, saw one-person residences constitute more than one-third of all households in 2024. Concurrently, government statistics highlight a significant “transient” population supporting commerce in official depopulation zones, a crucial indicator for regional revitalization efforts.
Solo Living Becomes Nation’s Dominant Household Type
The increase in single-person homes reinforces a fundamental change in family structure across the nation. Data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics revealed that 8.045 million households were comprised of one individual in 2024, representing 36.1% of the national total. This ratio has continuously climbed from 27.2% in 2015 and 31.7% in 2020, solidifying its place as the plurality household type.
Analysts point to several structural and societal forces driving this demographic shift. Primary factors include the nation’s increasingly aging population and evolving attitudes toward marriage, with many young adults choosing to delay or forgo matrimony entirely. These societal inclinations are amplified by economic pressures, including high housing costs, instability in the labor market, and general escalating living expenses.
Geographically, these single-person households are concentrated around major metropolitan centers, often exacerbating rental market competition. Gyeonggi Province accounted for the largest regional share at 22.1%, followed closely by the capital, Seoul, at 20.6%. Busan, the major southeastern port city, held a 6.8% share.
Despite these economic headwinds, the average annual income for single-person households saw an uptick, rising 6.2% year-over-year to 34.23 million won (approximately US$23,270) in 2024. However, this income level still only represents 46.1% of the total average household income, underscoring ongoing economic disparities.
Tracking Transient Populations in Regional Areas
Beyond household composition, the government is closely monitoring population movement, particularly in regions designated as “population-reduced zones.” The transient population—defined as individuals visiting a locality for at least three hours on one or more days per month for commuting, education, or tourism—is playing an increasingly vital role in sustaining these areas.
In May, the official de facto population across 89 depopulation zones, which includes registered residents, foreigners, and transient visitors, totaled approximately 31.37 million. Notably, transient visitors numbered around 26.51 million, a figure approximately 5.5 times larger than the combined registered population of 4.86 million. This multiple is trending upward, having increased from 5.2 times in May 2023.
By tracking these short-term movements, authorities gain a more accurate picture of regional economic activity and resource utilization. The average length of stay for the general transient population between April and June was 3.2 days, with foreign transient visitors recording slightly longer stays averaging 4.4 days. These data points, synthesized from interior and justice ministry records alongside telecom and credit card usage information, offer valuable insights for crafting effective local government policies aimed at regional vitality and infrastructure planning beyond traditional residential census counts.
The sustained rise in single-person households necessitates tailored policy responses for housing, social welfare, and urban planning. Simultaneously, understanding the economic impact of the large transient workforce and tourism base in depopulation zones is critical for future regional balanced development and investment strategies.