KIHASA has published the November issue of the Health and Welfare Policy Forum (No. 336), with its monthly focus on the "National Survey of Older Koreans and Old Age Living." (Click here to download the articles.)

SUMMARY OF THE FOREWORD

The November issue of the Health and Welfare Forum focuses on the “National Survey of Older Koreans and Old Age Living.” Mandated by Article 5 of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, the survey launched in 2018 and has been conducted every three years, with 2023 marking its sixth wave. This latest survey is especially significant in that it adequately captures the dynamics of the current and changing characteristics of older Koreans, conducted as it was at a time when, with baby boomers beginning to enter the 65-and-older population in large numbers, the proportion of those aged 65 to 69 rose to nearly 35 percent of the elderly population while, with the average life expectancy on the rise, individuals aged 85 and over for the first time surpassed the 10-percent mark. Also, given that the 65-plus population is on the brink of exceeding 20 percent of the national population, this survey provides the closest preview of the upcoming ‘super-aged society’. Our November issue presents a picture of Korean older adults’ lives in five dimensions: working life, leisure, health and care status, familial and social relationships, and perceptions of living conditions and old-age living. Drawing on the findings, our discussions explore potential improvements to enhance the quality of life for older adults and provide insights into preparing for a super-aged society. Though this issue does not cover all survey findings, we hope it will broaden public understanding of old-age living, foster academic and policy discussions, and support efforts to build a healthy super-aged society.

MONTHLY FOCUS: National Survey of Older Koreans and Old Age Living

"Changes in Labor Market Participation and Income among Older Koreans," Hwang Nam-hui, KIHASA

Drawing on the National Survey of Older Koreans, this article examines changes in labor market participation and income among older Koreans from 2011 to 2023. Both the labor market participation and income levels have increased among older adults in Korea. Average monthly work income and job satisfaction have also risen, and workplaces have become more accommodating to older adults. Over the past decade, older Koreans have seen increases in both household and individual incomes, with a greater share coming from earnings and a reduced percentage from private transfers. Despite these changes, however, the poverty rate for the elderly population remains higher in Korea than in nearly all OECD countries. The government should mobilize a wide array of policy instruments to help people live their later years with dignity.

"Leisure Activities and Digital Technology Use Among Older Koreans," Kim Sejin, KIHASA

This study explores leisure activities and the use of digital technology among older adults, drawing on data from the 2023 Survey of Older Koreans. On average, older Koreans participated in 1.1 social activities. About 81.3% of older adults engaged in leisure and cultural activities, most of which were passive activities like resting. Gatherings and religious events were the most common social activities, but participation rates declined with age. Older adults utilized various public facilities for leisure and cultural activities, with distinct preferences evident among different age groups. Older adults’ ability to use digital technologies varied significantly across age groups. However, while many could send and receive messages, most found themselves unable to perform everyday tasks involving e-financial transactions or e-commerce. This may explain why most older adults reported challenges in adapting to our society’s increasing digitization. Older adults significantly vary in their leisure activities and digital competence, yet they face common challenges related to aging. Policymaking must address both disparities among older adults and their commonly shared vulnerabilities.

"Health and Functional Status of Older Koreans," Kang Eunna, KIHASA

With Korea nearing the point where seniors aged 65 and older comprise over 20 percent of its population, the health of older adults and the care services they receive have significant implications not only for their quality of life but also for family caregivers, employment, industry, caregiving technologies, and national expenditures. Using data from the National Survey of Older Koreans 2023, this article examines the health status of older adults and the state of eldercare and discusses their implications for policy. This study explores older adults’ subjective health levels, medically-determined health status, mental and cognitive health, and physical functioning. The analysis also identifies areas of healthcare and caregiving that older persons wish to see improved. Based on the findings, this article recommends improving health promotion and frailty management, diversifying caregiving services, and strengthening societal caregiving capacity to encourage self-management among older adults.

"Familial and Social Relationships among Older Koreans," Lee Sun Hee, KIHASA
This study aims to examine the current state of familial and social relationships among the elderly in Korea and propose strategies to address ongoing changes. Utilizing data from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, we analyzed the structural aspects (forms and sizes) of family and social networks, as well as the functional aspects (contact patterns and support exchanges). The analysis identified trends such as the entrenchment of single-person elderly households, the contraction of kin-centered networks, the expansion of peer-centered networks, and the characteristics of individuals at risk of social isolation. Based on these findings, we recommend strengthening policy attention for elderly individuals at high risk of social isolation, enhancing support for peer relationships, and diversifying mechanisms to complement informal caregiving.

"Older Koreans' Living Environments and Perceptions of Living in Old Age," Joo Bohye, KIHASA
This article uses data from the National Survey of Older Koreans 2023 to examine residential environments and housing conditions for older adults in Korea, along with their perceptions and attitudes toward aging. Older Koreans generally wish to stay in their current homes for as long as they can. However, existing community infrastructure falls short of enabling older adults to make local outings and engage in activities with ease. Furthermore, access to essential amenities varies significantly across regions. Recently, the percentage of older adults reporting experiences of age discrimination has decreased. In addition, older adults increasingly prioritize their quality of life, with more planning to allocate their remaining assets for themselves or their spouse.

POLICY ANALYSIS AND TRENDS

"Employer-Employee Differences in the Implementation, Awareness, and Perceived Availability of Work-Life Balance Support Programs," Cho Sungho, KIHASA
This study explores the implementation, awareness, and perceived availability of work-life balance support programs, which in previous studies have been surveyed and analyzed primarily from the perspective of employers or HR managers. The focus here is on comparing survey responses of workers and employers. Both workers and employers reported low rates of flextime implementation. The awareness gap between workers and HR managers was relatively small for programs like ‘reduced hours for parents with child-care responsibilities’ and ‘family care leave.’ Awareness and perceived availability of these programs differed depending on workplace size and industry. HR managers and workers at larger firms, government agencies, and public organizations were consistently more aware of the work-life balance support programs and found them more accessible for use. These findings suggest that, without broad structural changes, expanding work-life balance support alone may disproportionately benefit certain worker groups.

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