Single-Person Surge: How Seoul's Household Demographics Are Outpacing Canada's
The Evolution of Households: Seoul vs. Canada 1. Single-Person Households Seoul: As of 2024, single-person households make up a remarkable 40% of all households, establishing themselves as the most common type. This is a rapid increase and a key trend in Korean society.
Canada: In the 2017 census, single-person households accounted for 28.2% of the total, becoming the most prevalent household type for the first time in history. While the rate is lower than in Seoul, the trend of growth is similar.
Key Difference: Seoul's rate of single-person households (40%) is significantly higher than Canada's (28.2%), indicating that the shift towards one-person living is accelerating much faster in Seoul.
2. Aging and Elderly Households Seoul: The population aged 60 and over has surpassed 20%, classifying it as a "super-aged society." There has been a sharp rise in single-person and couple households among the elderly.
Canada: While the senior population is growing, the proportion of single-person households for those aged 65 and older is actually decreasing. This is likely due to more elderly people choosing to live with their children or in other communal arrangements.
Key Difference: Seoul is experiencing a rise in single-person households alongside aging, whereas in Canada, the proportion of elderly living alone is decreasing despite an aging population.
3. Marriage and Divorce Common Trends:
Rising Age of First Marriage: In both Seoul and Canada, the average age for a first marriage continues to rise for both men and women.
Increase in "Gray Divorces": While the overall number of divorces is declining in both regions, the average age for divorce has increased, with late-life divorces making up a significant portion of cases.
4. Other Household Types Seoul: Households with young children and single-parent households are on the decline, a trend that reflects the country's low birth rate.
Canada: There has been a notable increase in couples without children, as well as a rise in legally recognized common-law partnerships and same-sex couple households.
Summary: Both Seoul and Canada are experiencing common social changes, such as the growth of single-person households and a rise in the age of marriage and divorce. However, Seoul is characterized by a much higher proportion of one-person households and a distinct trend of more elderly people living alone, while Canada shows a greater diversity in household structures, including common-law and same-sex partnerships.
