Elderly People Collecting Waste Earn Only 160,000 Won Per Month

Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2023 Survey on the Conditions of Elderly People Collecting Waste

The average monthly personal income of elderly people collecting waste paper was found to be less than half of the average income of elderly households. The money earned from selling waste paper amounted to only 160,000 won per month. The government plans to conduct a full survey of elderly waste paper collectors through local governments starting January next year and connect them to elderly job programs.

On the 28th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the results of the "2023 Survey on Elderly People Collecting Waste Paper" and support measures based on these findings. This is the first time the government has introduced support measures for elderly people collecting waste paper. The survey was conducted by selecting a sample of 105 representative scrap yards from 4,282 nationwide. A one-on-one face-to-face survey was conducted with 1,035 elderly people who supply waste paper to these scrap yards.

The survey results showed that the personal income of these elderly people, including money earned from selling waste paper, was 742,000 won, and household income was 1,135,000 won. In comparison, the 2020 Elderly Survey reported personal income of 1,298,000 won and household income of 2,522,000 won, which means the current figures are only 57% and 43%, respectively. The main source of income for these elderly people was the basic pension, accounting for 49.9%, while income from collecting waste paper accounted for 15%. The income from collecting waste paper was only 159,000 won per month. They collected waste paper for an average of 5.4 hours per day, six days a week. Their hourly income from collecting waste paper was 1,226 won.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The mental health of the elderly was also found to be poor. In particular, 39.4% of the elderly surveyed reported feeling depressed, which is 2.9 times higher than the 13.5% of all elderly people who reported feeling depressed. Only 21.4% perceived themselves as healthy, in contrast to 46.9% of the general elderly population who responded that they were healthy. Although 79% of these elderly people were aware of elderly job programs, only 9% participated.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to conduct a full survey starting January next year to collect personal information on elderly waste paper collectors in local areas. Using this information, they aim to connect them to elderly job programs to improve their quality of life. While considering the individual needs and preferences of each elderly person, those aged 75 and older will be encouraged to participate in 'public interest activity' programs, receiving a stipend of 290,000 won, taking into account their age and health. Elderly people with higher work ability or those seeking more income will be guided to 'social service' programs, receiving a stipend of 760,000 won.

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