By Kim Hyun-bin
According to a recent survey, more than half of Seoul residents living alone have no one to help them with daily tasks such as housework or caregiving, highlighting the growing need for tailored support for this population.
The survey, conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government between March and April, questioned 1,835 residents aged between 19 and 69 who live alone. It found that 56.6 percent of respondents said they had no one to turn to when they needed help with household chores or care. The results also showed that 53.2 percent had no one to turn to when they were sick and needed help with housework.
The report, published by the Seoul Foundation of Women & Family, highlights the particular challenges faced by people living alone, especially in middle age. The findings show that middle-aged men, i.e. those aged between 40 and 69, are particularly vulnerable and receive the least support in various situations, including emergencies, illness and emotional distress.
“Younger single-person households often still have access to support from parents,” the report says, “but it is becoming increasingly difficult for middle-aged people to rely on such help.”
When asked how they cope with the inconveniences of living alone, younger respondents were more likely to say they get help from their parents. In contrast, only 10.9 percent of middle-aged women and 7.1 percent of middle-aged men said they do the same. Instead, many resorted to online searches to solve problems or did nothing concrete at all.
The survey also examined satisfaction with interpersonal relationships in single-person households. The average satisfaction was 3.23 out of 5. Again, middle-aged men reported the lowest level of satisfaction with an average score of 3.0, while younger men were the most satisfied with a score of 3.54.
Despite the challenges, a clear majority of respondents expressed a desire to continue living alone. Overall, 57.1 percent said they wanted to maintain their single-person status, with this desire being more pronounced among middle-aged women (66.7 percent) and least common among younger men (42.1 percent).
