[Public Opinion Briefing No. 45-2] 37.1% Say Family Is Not Someone to Rely On

[Public Opinion Briefing No. 45] Economic Crisis and Family

[Theme 1] Household Satisfaction: 71.1 points

[Theme 2] The Double Burden of Economic and Family Crises

[Theme 3] 37.1% Say Family Is Not Someone to Rely On

[Theme 4] Vulnerable Groups Show Higher Rates of Depression and Suicidal Ideation

Theme 3. Reliance on Family for Problems is 40%, While 37.1% Say There Is No One to Rely On



ㆍ40.0% rely on family to resolve worries, 27.3% rely on themselves, and 9.8% have no one to rely on.

ㆍOnly 1.8% seek professionals, while reliance on relatives (0.9%) and neighbors (0.3%) has sharply declined.

ㆍIsolation is greater among low-income individuals, those over 50, and men.

ㆍReligion serves as a補完 (supplement) for women in their 40s and 50s.



Whom do people primarily rely on when facing problems within or outside the household? When facing issues within their own families, individuals did not often seek external support, with family serving as the ultimate safety net. However, while 'family' was the most frequently cited source of support for problem-solving, it accounted for less than half of the responses at 40%. A significant portion, however, indicated having no one to rely on or being unable to rely on anyone. Responses of 'myself' accounted for 27.3%, and those stating 'no one to rely on' were 9.8%. Combined, this implies that 37.1% have no one specific to rely on. Religion was cited by 9.3%, and reliance on friends or colleagues was 8.2%. Conversely, relatives and neighbors are no longer primary sources of support. Only 0.9% cited relatives, and a mere 0.3% cited neighbors. This result indicates a fading significance of kinship communities like relatives and residential communities like neighbors, which historically aided individuals in resolving problems. Seeking professional help was cited by only 1.8%.

[Figure 1] Primary Reliance Targets for Resolving Worries within the Household (Unit: %)

The issue is that for vulnerable groups, even family may not serve as a reliable safety net when family problems arise, leading them to believe they must solve problems themselves or that there is no one to rely on. Individuals belonging to socially vulnerable strata are more likely to face the double burden of socioeconomic distress compounded by family issues.



A significant characteristic is observed when examining income levels. Among low-income households earning less than 2 million KRW, the most frequent responses for reliance during family problems were 'myself' or 'no one.' For those earning less than 1 million KRW, this was 39.2%, and for the 1.01 to 2 million KRW income bracket, it was 37.0%. Reliance on family was cited at 34.0% and 31.5%, respectively. In contrast, middle-income households earning over 2 million KRW, and even high-income households earning over 4.01 million KRW, showed the highest proportion of reliance on family. In the 2.01 to 3 million KRW income bracket, the family reliance rate was 43.2%; in the 3.01 to 4 million KRW bracket, it was 42.7%; and for the top income bracket (over 4.01 million KRW), it rose to 47.4%. This indicates that as economic stability increases, reliance on family also grows. However, even within these income groups, a considerable number reported having no one to rely on. For the 2 million KRW bracket, this was 35.4%; for the 3 million KRW bracket, it was 32.9%; and for the high-income bracket (over 4.01 million KRW), it was still 33.9%. Furthermore, those who primarily rely on family or have no specific person to rely on generally tend to turn to religion.

[Figure 2] Primary Reliance Targets for Resolving Household Worries by Income Level (Unit: %)

By age group, for those aged 19-29, family was the primary support at 51.6%, while reliance on oneself or having no one accounted for 21.9%. Friends or colleagues were cited by 19.3%. In their 30s, reliance on family or oneself/no one else followed, with response rates of 44.1% and 38.3%, respectively. For those in their 40s, family was cited at 45.0%, and reliance on oneself or having no one was 31.5%. For those aged 50 and above, a distinct difference emerged compared to the 30s and 40s. Approximately half, 48.3%, reported relying on themselves or having no one to rely on, indicating a sense of isolation. Notably, while young adults (20s-30s) may find support from friends or colleagues when they have no one else to rely on besides family, those in their 40s and 50s and above show an increasing tendency to turn to religion.

[Figure 3] Primary Reliance Targets for Resolving Household Worries by Age Group (Unit: %)

A significant difference is observed by gender. Primarily, men who cited relying on themselves or having no one to rely on combined for 45.5%. Reliance on family was 36.2%. This highlights the isolation experienced by men. Women, compared to men, showed a higher rate of reliance on family. Like men, women also cited family and themselves as primary sources of support. However, the response rates differed significantly. Women citing family were higher at 43.5% compared to men, while the response rate for relying on oneself or having no one to rely on was relatively lower at 29.2%. Conversely, while men cited reliance on friends/colleagues at 9.9%, women, who tend to have a lower participation in social activities, showed a higher rate of reliance on religion at 13.9%. Although societal roles are evolving, this outcome appears to stem from the traditional division of labor where men primarily bear the responsibility as heads of households.

[Figure 4] Primary Reliance Targets for Resolving Household Worries by Gender