Costs Up 26.4% Compared to Last Chuseok
Parental Allowances and Gifts Account for Over Half of Total Budget
This year, with the Chuseok holiday period extending up to ten days, consumer spending has significantly increased. The main reasons cited are rising prices and the cost of showing filial respect to parents.
On September 20, the Consumer Public Interest Network released the results of its "2025 Chuseok Spending Plan" survey, which was conducted with 1,000 consumers nationwide.
According to the survey, 86% of respondents said they feel financially burdened due to the long holiday, with the sense of burden being highest among those in their 40s (71.1%).
The average spending budget was calculated at 712,300 won, a 26.4% increase from last year’s 563,500 won. While the longer holiday period had some impact, the average daily spending actually decreased from 112,700 won last year to 101,800 won this year.
Among the detailed categories, allowances and gifts for parents accounted for the largest share at 386,100 won, making up more than half (54.2%) of the total budget. This was followed by expenses for the ancestral ritual table (294,600 won), allowances for relatives and nephews (270,400 won), and home meal costs (247,200 won). The most burdensome spending item was also allowances for parents (22.1%).
The trend of changing holiday customs was also apparent. The most popular plan for using the Chuseok holiday was "resting at home with family" at 46.8%, surpassing the traditional homecoming (36.4%). Plans for domestic travel (23.2%) were more than four times higher than for overseas travel (5.7%). A total of 24% of respondents planned an ultra-long vacation of eight days or more by taking additional days off, with the main reason being the desire for sufficient rest (49.6%).
There were also changes in how the ancestral ritual table is prepared. Only 13.3% said they would stick to the traditional method, while the majority opted for simplification (40.2%), skipping it entirely (23.5%), or replacing it with a family meal (22.7%). However, the budget for the ritual table remained at 294,600 won, indicating that actual cost savings were minimal.
Among Chuseok foods, fruit was considered the most burdensome item (average rating of 3.94), followed by livestock products (3.64) and seafood (3.55). Although there was still a strong preference for domestic fruit despite high prices, 22.5% of respondents said they would consider imported livestock products.
86% of respondents said they feel financially burdened due to the long holiday, with the sense of burden being highest among those in their 40s (71.1%).
The Consumer Public Interest Network stated, "Even as holiday customs become more simplified and individualized, spending for family relationships is actually increasing," adding, "We plan to help ease consumer burdens through price stabilization campaigns and investigations into the origins of holiday staple products."
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