Seoul: More than one out of four households in South Korea expect their financial conditions to improve next year, with some 20 percent of households having seen an increase in income this year, a government survey showed Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, in the biennial survey conducted by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, 27 percent of households polled said they expect improved financial conditions in 2026 compared with this year, up 1.3 percentage points from two years ago. The survey was conducted on the heads of households aged 19 or older.

Fifty-four percent of respondents stated their financial situation would remain unchanged, while 19.1 percent anticipated a decline. When asked about the financial situation for 2025, 21.5 percent of respondents reported an increase in household income from a year earlier, whereas 19 percent experienced a decrease. The remaining 59.5 percent indicated their income was unchanged. Additionally, 15.6 percent of households mentioned their income was more than sufficient compared to minimum monthly living expenses, showing an increase of 1.9 percentage points from two years ago.

The survey also revealed that 40 percent of the population aged 19 or above believe overall living conditions in the country have improved as of 2025, compared to two years ago, while 12.9 percent felt they have worsened. The remaining 47.2 percent said living conditions remain unchanged. Among those aged 19 or older, over 71 percent are preparing for life after retirement, with the national pension service being the most cited preparation method.

In terms of support for the elderly population, 34.2 percent of respondents emphasized the need for financial support, followed by medical and caregiving services at 30.6 percent, and employment support at 23.8 percent. Regarding the possibility of elevating social and economic status, 57.7 percent expressed skepticism about it happening during their lifetime, although this represents a 1.9 percentage-point decrease from two years ago. Conversely, more than 29 percent believed their social and economic status would likely improve, marking a 2.7 percentage-point increase over the same period.

The survey highlighted that 38.2 percent of individuals aged 13 or older often feel lonely, with the remaining 61.8 percent not experiencing loneliness. This marks the first time the country included a question about loneliness in the biennial survey. The older the age group, the more frequently loneliness was reported, with over 40 percent among those in their 50s and older. Furthermore, the social credibility rate dropped 3.5 percentage points to 54.6 percent over the past two years, marking the first decrease since relevant surveys began in 2019. This decline appears to reflect heightened social unrest following the botched martial law declaration by impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024 and a series of major accidents.