The number of single-person households in South Korea continues to rise, having made up more than 36 percent of all households last year.

According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Sunday, there were eight million 45-thousand single-person households in 2024, which equated to 36-point-one percent of all households. 

Single-person households accounted for 27-point-two percent of the total in 2015, and that figure surpassed the 30 percent mark for the first time in 2020 at six-point-64 million. 

If the trend continues, the number of single-person households will reach eight-point-55 million in 2027, nine-point-71 million in 2037, and nine-point-94 million in 2042.

Meanwhile, the number of people aged 65 or older reached ten million for the first time last year. 

With seniors over 65 accounting for 20-point-one percent of the population, South Korea officially became a “super-aged society.”