[2021 Muyeongo Report] Increasing Number of People Living Alone... Rise in Lonely Deaths

<4>Becoming a Person Without Kinship

From 5.39 million single-person households in 2016
to 6.64 million last year
During the same period, unclaimed deaths also increased
from 1,245 to 3,025 cases

[Asia Economy Special Coverage Team = Team Leader Ko Hyung-kwang, Reporters Yoo Byung-don, Jung Dong-hoon, Lee Jung-yoon] The explosive increase in single-person households leads to the issue of unclaimed deaths, where individuals pass away without anyone to watch over their final moments or maintain relationships with others.

According to Statistics Korea, the number of single-person households, which was 5,397,615 in 2016, reached 6,643,354 last year. In four years, 1,245,739 more single-person households were added, and the proportion of single-person households among all households exceeded 30%. During this period, the number of unclaimed deaths also showed an increasing trend year by year. According to a full survey conducted by Asia Economy on basic local governments, the number of unclaimed deaths was 1,245 in 2016, 1,559 the following year, and 3,025 in 2020, increasing by 1,780 over four years. However, this figure excludes those whose year of death and age could not be estimated, so the actual number of unclaimed deaths may be higher.

Huh Joon-soo, Dean of the Graduate School of Social Welfare at Soongsil University, said, "Currently, our society is generally in a situation where single-person households inevitably increase," adding, "It is true that this leads to an increase in unclaimed deaths." Professor Jung Soon-dul of Ewha Womans University’s Department of Social Welfare also explained, "It cannot be said that there is no correlation between single-person households and unclaimed deaths. As single-person households increase, the possibility of unclaimed deaths grows."

The generation most vulnerable to unclaimed deaths among single-person households is the elderly. Due to chronic illnesses or economic problems, external activities become difficult, reducing social networks. When they are unable to receive care in such situations, the likelihood of unclaimed death increases. Among the 3,025 unclaimed deaths last year, about 48%, or 1,445, were aged 65 or older.

Experts assert that unclaimed deaths are no longer just an issue for the elderly. Middle-aged and even young people can also fall into unclaimed death cases. Dean Huh said, "As the number of single-person households in their 50s increases, the number of unclaimed deaths in this generation is rising just as much as among elderly single-person households." He continued, "People tend to think that those in their 50s are actively engaged in economic activities and have smooth relationships with others, but this is a misconception. There are various reasons, such as working in 3D (Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult) industries leading to accidents or illnesses, so support for the middle-aged is also necessary." The number of unclaimed deaths among people in their 50s increased from 297 in 2016 to 674 last year.

※ This article was produced with government advertising fees supported by the Korea Press Foundation.