Korea's suicide rate has reached a record high for the first time in 13 years. As social isolation and the obesity rate also worsened, concerns are growing about the quality of life for the public.
The Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) on the 5th published the report "Quality of Life of the People 2025" containing these findings. According to the report, the suicide rate in 2024 was 29.1 per 100,000 people, up 1.8 from the previous year (27.3). This is the highest level since 2011 (31.7). The suicide rate fell to 26 or lower from 2020 to 2022, then turned upward again starting in 2023.
By age group, the increase was greater among middle-aged and older adults. The suicide rate among those in their 40s rose the most, up 4.7 from the previous year, followed by those in their 50s (up 4.0) and 30s (up 3.9). By sex, the suicide rate for men rose by 3.5, from 38.3 in 2023 to 41.8 in 2024, while for women it rose by only 0.1 over the same period, from 16.5 to 16.6.
Health indicators also worsened. The obesity rate in 2024 was 38.1%, up 0.9 percentage points (p) from the previous year (37.2%). This is close to the record high seen in 2020 (38.3%) during the COVID-19 period. In particular, the obesity rate among those in their 40s surged to 44.1%, up 6.4 percentage points from a year earlier. The obesity rate for men was 48.8%, up 3.2 percentage points, while for women it fell 1.6 percentage points to 26.2%.
Indicators reflecting social relationships were also unfavorable. Social isolation stood at 33.0% in 2025, the same as the previous year, but still 5.3 percentage points higher than in 2019 (27.7%) before COVID-19. The rate of participation in civic groups also plunged to 52.3% in 2024, down 5.9 percentage points from the previous year (58.2%).
Life satisfaction stopped rising and showed signs of stagnation. Life satisfaction in 2024 was 6.4 points, the same level as the previous year. After steadily rising from 5.7 points in 2013 and peaking at 6.5 points in 2022, it has been flat for the past two years. In international comparisons, Korea's life satisfaction is relatively low. Based on 2022–2024, Korea's life satisfaction was 6.04 points, lower than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 6.50. It ranked 33rd among the 38 OECD member countries.
Emotional indicators were mixed as well. Positive affect, which reflects happiness levels, was 6.8 points in 2024, up 0.1 from the previous year, but negative affect, which indicates levels of depression and worry, jumped to 3.8 points from 3.1 the previous year, up 0.7. Negative affect had declined from 4.0 points in 2021 to 3.1 in 2023, then worsened again.