Since COVID-19, 'Delivery and Takeout Food' Increased by 50%... 'Home Cooking' Also Up 43%

2020 'Seoul Food Statistics Survey' of 3,833 Seoul Citizens
69.2% of Citizens Eat Alone Once a Week, Average Weekly Solo Meals 3.44 Times

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Since COVID-19, 7 out of 10 Seoul citizens have been eating alone at home at least once a week, with an average frequency of more than three times. In particular, due to social distancing, delivery and takeout food increased by nearly 50%, and the number of people cooking their own meals also rose by more than 40%.

On the 1st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the results of a survey conducted from September 25 to October 30 last year targeting 2,000 households (3,833 individuals aged 18 and over) residing in Seoul. The survey examined the current food consumption status of Seoul citizens and changes in eating habits after COVID-19.

The survey found that 69.2% of citizens eat alone at least once a week, with an average weekly frequency of 3.44 times. Especially, groups with a high frequency of eating alone showed a higher frequency of eating alone at home than outside. By age group, those aged 70 and over had the highest frequency (5.13 times), followed by those aged 18-29 (3.84 times), and single-person households had a significantly higher frequency at 7.70 times.

The reasons for eating alone included “no one to eat with” at 72.3%, “lack of time” at 37.7%, and relatively high response rates for “dislike eating with others,” “wanting to eat my favorite food,” and “due to my unique eating habits.”

Food consumption that increased after COVID-19 included “delivery and takeout food” at 49.2% and “online food purchases” at 39.1%, while “cooking food by oneself” also increased by 43.4%, indicating an increase in food intake at home. The age group reporting an increase in cooking frequency was led by those in their 40s at 50.7%, followed by those in their 30s at 48.1%.

Additionally, over 76% responded that their health status had not changed, while 14.2% reported that it had worsened. The rate of worsened health was higher among those aged 70 and over (25.2%) and households with a monthly income below 200% of the median (20.5%). Among households with a monthly income of 7 million KRW or more, 27.7% reported improved health, revealing a polarization in health changes according to income after COVID-19.

Based on these survey results, the Seoul Metropolitan Government conducted an in-depth analysis of the quality of life related to food by social groups. The analysis showed that food-vulnerable groups included people in their 20s and 70s, single-person households, students, and those socially completely isolated. These groups were found to be disadvantaged in all areas, including food insecurity, lack of food literacy, and low happiness. In particular, people in their 20s, single-person households, and students showed the lowest interest in good food, agriculture and rural areas, and urban-rural coexistence.

The average score for knowledge about food was between 5.99 and 6.34 out of 10, with “the impact of food choices on health” scoring 6.34, “food storage methods for freshness and safety” 6.24, “healthy meal composition” 6.12, and “food choices and environmental sustainability” 5.99. Both “life happiness” and “satisfaction with food and eating habits” scored 6.81 out of 10, showing similar levels. Happiness was highly correlated with satisfaction with food and eating habits, and the importance of food and eating habits for happiness was rated highly at 7.61.

While food policies in Seoul have mainly focused on providing food to economically vulnerable groups, this survey highlights the need for tailored policies reflecting demographic and social changes. Accordingly, Seoul plans to establish a “Five-Year Basic Plan for Seoul Food Policy.”

Park Yumi, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Citizen Health Bureau, said, “This survey showed that not only the environment surrounding food but also food-related behaviors are linked to satisfaction with food and eating habits, and furthermore have a significant impact on life happiness. Based on these results, we will expand qualitative food support to improve the eating satisfaction of vulnerable groups and develop community food participation programs so that all citizens can enjoy food security and increased happiness.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.