1 in 5 South Koreans aged 65 and older in 2026: data

South Korea has become a super-aged society this year, with people aged 65 and older making up 21.6 percent of the population in 2026. The Ministry of Data and Statistics said the senior population reached 11.12 million, and the share is projected to keep rising through 2036 and 2050. Senior-headed households, pension coverage, and elderly employment have also continued to grow.

People aged 65 and older numbered 11.12 million in 2026, or 21.6 percent of South Korea’s 51.6 million population.

The ministry projected the share of people aged 65 and older to reach 30 percent in 2036 and more than 40 percent in 2050.

Households headed by senior citizens totaled 6.5 million, accounting for 28.8 percent of all households, and 38 percent of those were single-person households.

The remaining life expectancy at age 65 was estimated at 21.7 years on average in 2024, with 19.5 years for men and 23.7 years for women.

The employment rate for people aged 65 and older stood at 39.5 percent in 2025, while 91.2 percent of the elderly population received the state pension in 2024.

Published Oct 1, 2026 12:41 pm KST

Senior citizens look at a job board during the 11th Suwon City Senior Citizens Job Fair in Suwon, June 21, 2022. Yonhap

People aged 65 and older took up over 20 percent of South Korea's population this year amid rapid aging and the ultralow birthrate, data showed Thursday.

The number of senior citizens stood at 11.12 million in 2026, accounting for 21.6 percent of the country's 51.6 million population, according to the data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

The proportion makes South Korea a "super-aged society," and is to rise further to 30 percent in 2036 and over 40 percent in 2050, according to the ministry.

The number of households headed by senior citizens came to 6.5 million, accounting for 28.8 percent of all households in the country.

Of the 6.5 million households, 38 percent were single-person households, which has been increasing since 2015.

Households led by senior citizens are forecast to rise further to account for 50.6 percent of the total households in the country in 2052.

The remaining life expectancy for those aged 65 was estimated at 21.7 years on average as of 2024, with the figure for men coming to 19.5 years and 23.7 years for women.

The net assets of households headed by senior citizens came to 493 million won ($363,000) on average in 2025, and 91.2 percent of the total elderly population received the state pension in 2024.

The employment rate among those aged 65 and older came to 39.5 percent in 2025, up 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier, and their employment rate has been on an increase since 2015.

Of those aged 65-79, 58.7 percent said they want to work in the future, and half of them cited financial issues as a reason, followed by 38.7 percent pointing to joy in work.

Asked about their quality of life, 33.7 percent of the senior citizens said they are "satisfied" with their current life in 2025, down 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier, and 29 percent said they felt proud of their social and economic achievements.

South Korea is facing grim demographic challenges as many young people opt to postpone or give up on getting married or having babies in line with changing social norms and lifestyles, as well as the tough job market and rising home prices.

韩国今年已步入超老龄化社会，预计到2026年，65岁及以上人口将占总人口的21.6%。韩国统计厅表示，老年人口已达1112万，预计到2036年和2050年，这一比例还将继续上升。高龄户主家庭、养老金覆盖率和老年人就业率也持续增长。

到 2026 年，韩国 65 岁及以上的人口将达到 1112 万，占韩国 5160 万人口的 21.6%。

该部预测，到 2036 年，65 岁及以上人口的比例将达到 30%，到 2050 年将超过 40%。

老年人户主家庭总数为 650 万户，占所有家庭的 28.8%，其中 38% 为单人户。

2024 年，65 岁人群的预期剩余寿命估计平均为 21.7 年，其中男性为 19.5 年，女性为 23.7 年。

2025年，65岁及以上人群的就业率为39.5%，而2024年，91.2%的老年人口领取了国家养老金。

发布于2026年10月1日下午12:41（韩国标准时间）

2022年6月21日，在水原市举行的第十一届水原市老年人招聘会上，老年人正在查看招聘广告牌。（韩联社）

周四公布的数据显示，由于人口老龄化速度加快和出生率极低，今年韩国65岁及以上人口占总人口的20%以上。

根据国家统计局的数据，到2026年，老年人口数量将达到1112万，占该国5160万人口的21.6%。

据韩国环境部称，这一比例使韩国成为一个“超老龄化社会”，到 2036 年将进一步上升到 30%，到 2050 年将超过 40%。

全国共有650万户由老年人担任户主的家庭，占全国家庭总数的28.8%。

在 650 万户家庭中，38% 是单人家庭，这一比例自 2015 年以来一直在上升。

预计到 2052 年，老年人户主家庭将占全国家庭总数的 50.6%。

截至 2024 年，65 岁人群的平均预期寿命估计为 21.7 年，其中男性为 19.5 年，女性为 23.7 年。

2025年，老年人户主家庭的平均净资产为4.93亿韩元（36.3万美元），2024年，91.2%的老年人口领取了国家养老金。

2025年，65岁及以上人群的就业率达到39.5%，比上年增长1.3个百分点，自2015年以来，他们的就业率一直在上升。

在 65-79 岁年龄段的人群中，58.7% 的人表示他们未来想继续工作，其中一半人表示是出于经济原因，38.7% 的人表示是出于工作带来的快乐。

当被问及生活质量时，33.7% 的老年人表示他们对 2025 年的现状感到“满意”，比上一年下降了 1.8 个百分点；29% 的老年人表示他们为自己的社会和经济成就感到自豪。

由于社会规范和生活方式的改变，以及就业市场严峻和房价上涨，许多年轻人选择推迟或放弃结婚生子，韩国正面临严峻的人口挑战。