The government will create an official index to identify people at risk of social isolation. It aims to pinpoint those cut off from social networks and determine both the reasons for their isolation and the policies they want. The move comes from a view that, amid aging and more one-person households, social isolation can lead to depression or lonely deaths.
On the 19th, according to sources in and outside the government, the Ministry of Health and Welfare recently commissioned a research project titled "Public perceptions of social isolation and analysis of characteristics and needs of at-risk groups." Until now, surveys focused on "lonely deaths" or "loneliness," but this is the first in-depth national-level study of groups at risk of social isolation.
A Ministry of Health and Welfare official said, "Loneliness is a subjective feeling, but social isolation is an objective domain measurable by factors like network and contact frequency," adding, "We plan to identify at-risk groups, conduct in-depth research, and design policies."
The government plans to establish a screening index to identify people at risk of social isolation and conduct a status survey of 10,000 people age 19 and older. For those classified as at-risk, it will closely examine ▲ health ▲ education level ▲ frequency of interaction with family and acquaintances ▲ leisure and cultural activities ▲ housing environment ▲ safety levels. It will also identify the demand for policy support these individuals need. Separately, it will conduct a perception survey of 2,000 people to gauge social consensus and public opinion on the government's role.
◇ From youth, if reclusive, social expense 1.5 billion won…
The survey also aligns with President Lee Jae-myung's national agenda item of a "lifespan-based loneliness response policy." The government has also listed as a national task the option of designating the first Vice Minister of Health and Welfare as the vice minister exclusively in charge of social isolation (loneliness).
Overseas, some countries have already built national-level response systems. Japan has a dedicated unit under the Cabinet Secretariat to address loneliness and isolation. It is also conducting annual nationwide status surveys. The Cabinet Office conducted surveys on hikikomori (social recluses) in 2016 and 2019.
In contrast, in Korea as of last year there were 32 projects related to loneliness and isolation, but many overlap. While lonely deaths occur predominantly among middle-aged and older adults, support is largely designed for youth and older people, critics say. Calls are growing to quickly conduct large-scale, in-depth surveys to uncover blind spots and to establish policy systems tailored to life stages.
Kim Seong-a, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), said, "Assuming a person finishes schooling, becomes reclusive at age 25, does not participate in economic activity, and receives public assistance, the economic expense per person reaches about 1.5 billion won," adding, "We need to detect crisis groups early through large-scale status surveys and build infrastructure that increases their points of contact with society."
In response, the government said, "We are currently building a tailored, life-stage support system," adding, "We will complete the survey of 10,000 people by the end of this year and identify additional tailored policies."