[2025 Solitary Deaths Report①] Over 6,000 Solitary Deaths in a Year... Fivefold Surge in Nine Years

From 1,244 to 6,321; 2,736 Cases in Just January to May This Year
"Opportunities for Social Interaction Among the Solitary Must Be Increased"

Editor's Note
The Asia Business Daily first conducted an in-depth report on the reality of unaccompanied deaths four years ago. However, the issues raised at that time remain unresolved and have grown even more severe. As families and local communities weaken, individualization accelerates, and unaccompanied deaths have become not just a problem for certain vulnerable groups, but a structural risk for society as a whole. The reality that funeral procedures, which should protect the dignity of the deceased, are still left to the discretion of local governments without clear standards has also not changed. In response, we have once again compiled and analyzed the statistics on unaccompanied deaths across all 229 local governments nationwide, and traced the life trajectories of those who had no choice but to face a lonely death. We examine the persistent institutional gaps and ask what alternatives our society must prepare.

The number of unaccompanied deaths-individuals who died alone without family or acquaintances-has increased more than fivefold over the past nine years. There are growing calls for urgent measures to support middle-aged and older adults who are isolated from their families or facing economic hardship.

Unaccompanied Deaths Surge from 1,244 to 6,321

According to a comprehensive survey by The Asia Business Daily of all 229 local governments nationwide, the number of unaccompanied deaths, excluding cases where the year of death or age could not be estimated, reached 6,321 last year-more than five times the figure in 2016 (1,244). Unaccompanied deaths refer to cases where there are no known relatives, relatives cannot be identified, or even when relatives exist, the body is not claimed due to economic hardship or severed relationships.

In 2017, the number of unaccompanied deaths was in the 1,000s, but it rose to the 2,000s in 2018, the 3,000s in 2020, the 4,000s in 2022, and the 5,000s in 2023, surpassing 6,000 last year. From January to May this year alone, there were 2,736 cases, averaging 18 deaths per day.

From 2021 to May this year-a period of about five years-a total of 23,097 people died unaccompanied. By metropolitan area, Seoul recorded 5,097 cases, Gyeonggi Province 5,009, Busan 2,382, Incheon 1,654, and Daegu 1,154. By local district, Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul had the highest number with 510, followed by Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province (376), Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul (399), Busanjin-gu in Busan (358), and Michuhol-gu in Incheon (337).

Weakened Family Ties Are the Main Cause... Urgent Need for Social Attention and Intervention

The sharp increase in unaccompanied deaths is largely due to weakened family relationships. An official from Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, stated, "When handling administrative procedures for unaccompanied deaths, it is often the case that families who have been out of contact for a long time refuse to claim the body, rather than there being no family at all. In such situations, the burden of funeral expenses also plays a role, leading to requests for public funerals."

Lee Mina, Professor of Sociology at Chung-Ang University, explained, "As the number of isolated households increases, more people live cut off from family and acquaintances, and issues such as aging and longer life expectancy make it even harder for families to manage funerals. As a result, unaccompanied deaths are inevitably on the rise. We must not dismiss this as an unavoidable problem, but approach it as an issue that requires management and social attention."

She added, "We need to support a variety of programs that encourage social interaction between unaccompanied individuals or those estranged from family and their relatives or acquaintances. Because unaccompanied deaths are also linked to the quality of life during one's lifetime, it is essential to conduct frequent interviews with unaccompanied individuals to assess how many require support and what kind of assistance is needed, alongside qualitative research."