Busan Ranks First in Happiness and Satisfaction
Capital Region Shows High Levels of Loneliness and Depression
A survey on life satisfaction among young adults aged 20 to 39 living in the seven major metropolitan cities nationwide revealed that the region with the highest 'subjective happiness' was Busan, while the lowest was Incheon.
According to the report "Life Satisfaction of Young Adults in Major Cities: Focusing on the Seven Major Metropolitan Cities," published by the National Assembly Futures Institute on the 4th, the 'happiness' of young adults in metropolitan areas was highest in Busan with a score of 7.34 out of 10, while Incheon recorded the lowest at 6.14. Daejeon ranked second with 7.04 points, followed by Daegu (6.86), Seoul (6.82), Ulsan (6.66), and Gwangju (6.50).
The overall life satisfaction of young adults was also surveyed in a similar order to happiness. The satisfaction of young adults in Busan was the highest at 4.96 out of 7 points, followed by Daejeon (4.94), Seoul (4.86), and Daegu (4.77). Incheon had the lowest satisfaction at 4.56 points.
The highest 'satisfaction with living standards' was also in Busan (6.88 points). It was followed by Daejeon (6.60), Ulsan (6.26), and Seoul (6.25), while regions with relatively low satisfaction included Gwangju (5.80) and Incheon (5.77).
'Safety and satisfaction with residential environment' were also highest in Busan (6.87 points) and lowest in Incheon (5.98 points). Satisfaction with neighborhood environment was high in Daejeon (6.51 points) and Busan (6.44 points).
Seoul and Incheon Show Higher Levels of Loneliness and Depression
Health satisfaction was highest in Seoul (7.32 points) and lowest in Ulsan (6.66 points). However, the frequency of loneliness and depression, which are related to mental health, was higher in the metropolitan area. The loneliness index among young adults was highest in Incheon at 1.40 points, followed by Seoul (1.33), Gwangju (1.25), and Daejeon (1.20). Depression was also highest in Incheon (1.37 points).
The average commuting time for young adults was also longer in the metropolitan area. Seoul (71.77 minutes) and Incheon (66.01 minutes) had average commuting times of over one hour, nearly twice as long as other metropolitan cities. Busan (43.97 minutes), Ulsan (43.39 minutes), Gwangju (39.85 minutes), Daegu (38.40 minutes), and Daejeon (34.37 minutes) showed little difference among cities.
The National Assembly Futures Institute analyzed that "Although young adults are moving to metropolitan areas such as Seoul and Incheon for reasons like jobs and education, the quality of life satisfaction among young adults in these metropolitan cities is not high," and assessed that "this is due to conditions that fall short of expectations compared to the high living costs in the metropolitan area."
They also pointed out, "Seoul and Incheon are regions where young adults gather, yet the frequency of loneliness and depression is relatively high," and emphasized the need to "prepare support measures to prevent social isolation among young adults."
This report was based on the 'Happiness Survey of Koreans' conducted last year by the National Assembly Futures Institute, analyzing a sample of 2,151 young adults aged 20 to 39 residing in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan.
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