Loneliness Feels Different Depending on Income Level
Loneliness was found to vary significantly according to income level.
The lower the income, the more respondents reported feeling lonely.
As income increased, the proportion of those feeling lonely tended to decrease.
Perceived Loneliness Among Low-Income Households Was Much Higher Than Average
According to the “2025 Social Survey” by the National Data Agency and the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS) released on March 2,
the perceived loneliness rate among households with an average monthly income of less than 1 million won was 57.6%,
which is about 20 percentage points higher than the overall average of 38.2%.
Compared to high-income households earning over 6 million won per month (33.0%), this figure was approximately 1.7 times higher.
Low-Income Households Had the Highest Proportion Reporting "Frequently Lonely"
Among households with a monthly income of less than 1 million won, 12.0% said they "frequently feel lonely."
This was about twice as high as for households earning 1 million to 2 million won (6.6%).
In the same income group, 45.6% responded that they "sometimes feel lonely."
Loneliness Decreased Gradually as Income Rose
In the lowest income group, people were more likely to experience loneliness repeatedly rather than as a temporary feeling.
Conversely, as income increased, the proportion of people reporting loneliness gradually declined.
For households earning 1 million to 2 million won, the rate was 44.9%; for those earning 2 million to 3 million won, 39.7%;
and for households earning 3 million to 4 million won and 4 million to 5 million won, the rates were 36.7% each.
Satisfaction With Personal Relationships Also Varied by Income
There is also an interpretation that economic conditions affect social bonds and emotional stability.
The proportion of people satisfied with their personal relationships
started at 37.8% for households earning less than 1 million won per month,
and gradually rose to 61.0% for those earning 5 million to 6 million won.
Especially, Elderly Poverty Overlaps With the Issue
The lowest income group includes a large number of elderly people who have become isolated from economic activities after retirement and are living alone.
For this reason, some analyses indicate that elderly poverty is leading to social isolation.
The perceived loneliness rate by age group was 41.7% for those in their 50s, 39.5% for those in their 60s, and 41.7% for those in their 70s.
However, it increased sharply to 52.2% for those aged 80 and older.
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Reporter Koo Nari forsythia26@asiae.co.kr
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Edit Maeng Jiae mjiae@asiae.co.kr
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