"I Don't Want to Grow Old"... Millennials and Gen Z Experience Greater Aging Anxiety Than Middle-Aged Adults

Younger Generation Perceives Greater "Fear of Aging" Than Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Deteriorating Health and Loss of Economic Power Are Key Sources of Anxiety for All

It has been found that, in Korean society, it is actually the 'younger generation' who fear aging the most. As the country approaches a super-aged society with a senior population nearing 10 million, a recent survey shows that people in their 20s and 30s are more anxious about 'getting old' than those in their 60s and older.

According to the "Korean Aging Anxiety Scale" released on September 17 by the Hanyang University Institute for Aging Society, the average level of aging anxiety among all adults was 3.23 out of 5, which is considered "above average." In particular, concerns about deteriorating health (3.80 points) and loss of economic power (3.57 points) stood out.

By age group, young adults in their 20s and 30s scored an average of 3.38, which is higher than those in their 40s and 50s (3.19) and those aged 60 and above (3.12). The research team analyzed that this result reflects young people's "future aging self," shaped by uncertainty about the future, the burden of preparing for old age, and negative perceptions of the elderly.

Notably, the younger generation scored significantly higher than other age groups in areas such as social isolation (3.31), awareness of elderly stigma (3.30), and anxiety about death and loss (3.37). Their fear of reduced mobility, loss of relationships, and loss of hobbies and leisure activities was also more pronounced than that of middle-aged and older adults. The institute interpreted this as "the younger generation tends to perceive the potential constraints on key areas of their current life due to aging as a loss of existence."

Differences in Anxiety by Gender, Family, and Economic Conditions

Gender differences were also significant. Women (3.28) experienced greater overall anxiety than men (3.17). Women were more anxious than men in most areas, including health, appearance, and economic power, but men scored higher in relational poverty. The research team explained, "Men tend to have more limited, work-centered social networks, which increases their concern about losing social connections after retirement."

Greater Anxiety Among the Unmarried, Childless, and Those Living Alone

Anxiety was higher among unmarried individuals compared to married individuals, and among married people without children compared to those with multiple children. Households with individuals living alone also reported higher anxiety levels than those not living alone.

Economic conditions also played a role. Wage workers, low-income groups, and those living in rental housing (both jeonse and monthly rent) reported relatively higher anxiety. In particular, those not enrolled in public pensions had a score of 3.32, which was significantly higher than those enrolled in the National Pension (3.19) or occupational pensions (3.16).

Lee Samsik, director of the Hanyang University Institute for Aging Society, emphasized, "At the national level, the elderly population continues to grow, and at the individual level, the length of old age is increasing, which leads to greater anxiety. However, because this anxiety has not been measured, it has been difficult to gauge the effectiveness of policies." He added, "These research findings will serve as important foundational data not only for policy-making but also for individuals preparing for old age."

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