Why does South Korea have so many elderly still in the workforce?

Author: Elnora Berge  |  Last update: Saturday, January 24, 2026

This change is largely due to the country's prolonged low birth rate and aging population, coupled with the growing need for seniors to continue working well into their 80s.

Why is South Korea aging so fast?

The main cause of South Korea's aging is low fertility. Decreased fertility rates tend to be caused by lower marriage rates, more delayed marriages, and increased age of parents.

How does South Korea treat their elderly?

At the core of the Korean family system is respect for elders and filial piety. Elders are valued for their experience and wisdom; they are consulted for advice, support, and resolution of family conflicts. This practice is strongly influenced by the Confucian tradition of filial piety [5].

Is elder abuse common in South Korea?

This study aimed to investigate prevalence and associated factors of elder abuse. The overall prevalence of elder abuse in this study was 12.6% in community-dwelling Koreans, which was similar to 15.7% from a recent meta-analysis [17].

Why is life expectancy so high in South Korea?

Several factors contribute to the longevity of South Korean people. These include a diet rich in vegetables, fish, and fermented foods, an active lifestyle with a focus on physical activity like walking and hiking, strong social connections, and access to advanced healthcare.

Back to work: Why South Korea's seniors are rejoining the workforce

What is the number one cause of death in South Korea?

Korea. Cancer remained the leading cause of death among South Koreans last year, according to data from Statistics Korea. A total of 352,511 deaths were recorded in 2023, a decrease of 5.5 percent from the previous year, marking a decline after three years of increases.

What country has the lowest life expectancy?

Men born in Chad have the lowest life expectancy in the world as of 2024, reaching only 53 years. The lowest life expectancy for women in the world in 2024 was for girls born in Nigeria, with only 55 years. Except for Afghanistan, all the countries with the lowest life expectancy in the world are in Africa.

Is dementia common in Korea?

Dementia is rapidly becoming more common in the elderly population of South Korea, and there are regional difference in its demographics.

What is the illegal age to drink in Korea?

The legal drinking age policy implemented in South Korea (Korea) is distinct from that in other countries, as it is based on a calendar year approach. Specifically, individuals are allowed to access alcohol from January 1 of the year in which they turn 19.

Does South Korea have a high rate of alcoholism?

In Korea, 20% of drinkers are binge or excessive drinkers, and are responsible for 66% of all alcohol consumption [2]. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation identified alcohol intake at a harmful level (through excessive or binge drinking) as the fifth largest risk factor for death, and disability.

What country treats their elderly the best?

The Countries With the Best Elderly Care
  • Norway. With its strong sense of community, 100% pension coverage and financial security for older adults, it's no wonder that Norway is consistently found in the number one spot. ...
  • Sweden. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • The US. ...
  • Great Britain. ...
  • Staggered care systems.

At what age do South Koreans retire?

The regulations governing the retirement age are well-defined in South Korea. The official retirement age is 60, but there are discussions about increasing it further due to longer life expectancies.

Why is South Korea's population declining?

Fertility Slump

First, marriages declined during the pandemic and because having children out of wedlock is still taboo in Korea, birth rates dropped sharply. The number of newborn babies fell 10% in 2020 and continued to drop, albeit more slowly, through 2023.

How do Koreans prevent aging?

The Korean skincare regimen involves a 10-step process of cleaning the skin of debris such as makeup, sunscreen, excess oils, and dead skin cells, infusing the skin with antioxidants, vitamin C serums, and hyaluronic acid, treating skincare concerns such as acne blemishes, fine lines, and dark spots, applying a face ...

Is there much poverty in South Korea?

According to official estimates, about 15% of South Koreans live below the poverty line.

What country has a drinking age of 13?

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea. Here's a brief look at how not only the legal drinking age but the culture and parenting around alcohol consumption varies across countries.

What is the age of consent in Japan?

Japan raises the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13. Japan's parliament on Friday raised the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13, a limit which had remained unchanged for more than a century and was among the world's lowest, amid calls for greater protection of children and women.

What is the age of consent in Korea?

The age of consent in Korea is 16.

What is the No 1 disease in Korea?

The results of the present study reveal that the burden of disease per 100,000 of the Korean population originates primarily from; cancer (1,525 Person Years, PYs), cardiovascular disease (1,492 PYs), digestive disease (1,140 PYs), diabetes mellitus (990 PYs), and certain neuro-psychiatric conditions (883 PYs).

Which race has the least dementia?

Researchers found dementia incidence to be highest in blacks and American Indian/Alaska Natives, lowest among Asian Americans, and intermediate among Latinos, Pacific Islanders and whites.

What diseases are Koreans prone to?

Health issues
  • Cancer.
  • Suicide.
  • Obesity.
  • Smoking.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • Infectious disease.
  • Air pollution.
  • Tuberculosis.

What race lives the longest?

ASIAN AMERICANS -- Highest Life Expectancy In The World.

In what state do people live the shortest?

1. Mississippi. Mississippi has the shortest life expectancy in the US, at 70.9 years.

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