Two-thirds say older adults should have more opportunities to contribute their experience and knowledge
Many South Koreans approaching or past retirement age don’t consider themselves old and want more opportunities to participate in society, a survey showed Tuesday, as the country grapples with a rapidly aging population.
Nearly 76 percent of respondents aged 60 to 74 said they did not see themselves as old, according to the survey commissioned by the Hankyoreh Economy & Society Research Institute. The figure rose to 83.4 percent among those in their 60s.
When asked what determines whether someone is old, 34.2 percent of respondents chose the ability to carry out everyday activities.
Health was the next most common answer at 26.7 percent, followed by age at 24.7 percent and whether a person is economically active at 9.8 percent.
Perceptions varied with health and loneliness. Among those who described their health as poor, 58.4 percent said they did not consider themselves old.
The figure was 61.2 percent among those who said they frequently felt lonely, compared with 75.7 percent across all respondents.
More opportunities to participate
About two-thirds of respondents said older people should have more opportunities to contribute to society using their experience and knowledge. The remaining 32.4 percent said they should be protected through the welfare system.
Respondents were more divided over taking on new challenges. While 52 percent said they could learn and try something new, 48 percent said they were hesitant to do so.
The findings come as South Korea debates how to keep older people economically and socially active while expanding care for a growing elderly population. People aged 65 and over accounted for more than 20 percent of the population in the 2025 census, according to the Hankyoreh.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has discussed raising the statutory retirement age, currently 60, in stages. A proposal reviewed by a party committee in June called for lifting it to 61 in 2029 and then by one year every two years, reaching 65 in 2037.
Most respondents also saw care in old age as a public responsibility. About 85.8 percent said the public sector and local communities should be responsible, compared with 14.2 percent who chose families.
The Hankyoreh Economy & Society Research Institute commissioned polling firm Opinions to survey 532 people nationwide between the ages of 60 and 74 from Aug. 21 to 25.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com