Quality of Life in Gwangyang: Satisfaction and Happiness Levels Have Risen

Announcement of the 2024 Social Survey

Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jung Inhwa) has announced the results of the "2024 Gwangyang City Social Survey," which investigated social interests, living standards, and policy demands related to the quality of life of its citizens.

The city organized the survey into 12 sections, including population, household and family, consumption and income, labor, education, and Gwangyang-specific items. The survey was conducted from August 30 to September 11, 2024, targeting all household members aged 15 and older in 1,008 households across 84 sample districts within the city.

Exterior view of Gwangyang City Hall.

The support policy for low birth rates that Gwangyang citizens considered most necessary was the "expansion of support for childcare and education expenses for infants and young children" (18.8%). For youth, the most needed childcare support policies were "expansion of subsidies for childcare and education expenses" (40.7%) and "expansion of support for babysitter assistance programs" (16.8%). The most needed youth support policies were ranked as follows: "job placement services" (28.1%), "housing cost support" (19.0%), and "job search activity allowance support" (12.4%).

Regarding ways to utilize vacant houses, the highest response rate was for "renovating and supporting public rental projects" (49.4%), followed by "encouraging voluntary demolition by supporting demolition costs" (18.0%).

The most needed support policies for return-to-farming/fishing and rural migrants were "providing settlement fund loans" (33.8%) and "offering pre-experience programs in areas of interest" (30.6%).

The average satisfaction and happiness scores regarding the overall life of Gwangyang citizens in 2024 increased by 0.3 points each compared to 2023, with satisfaction at an average of 6.8 and happiness at an average of 6.9.

For measures to attract tourists, citizens ranked "expansion of infrastructure such as tourist facilities" (44.7%) and "development of various tourism programs" (25.5%) as the top priorities.

For the creation of urban parks and green spaces in Gwangyang City, the highest response rate was "intensive management of existing parks and green spaces" (35.3%), followed by "creation of parks and green spaces according to designated purposes" (28.1%) and "creation of nature experience spaces within urban parks" (27.8%).

To advance the agricultural sector, the highest response rates were for "fostering local specialty products" (33.2%) and "establishing distribution systems such as agricultural product marketing" (19.6%).

Policies needed for youth welfare were "learning guidance and career counseling" (24.6%), "problem behavior improvement programs" (20.4%), and "counseling for personal concerns such as personality and interpersonal relationships" (19.2%).

Tak Younghee, head of the General Affairs Division, stated, "We hope that the results of this social survey will be used as data for establishing policies that can contribute to improving citizens' quality of life and regional development."