Funds from single-person households are rapidly shifting from safe assets to investments. The proportion of investments in stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased, while the use of loans for investment has also risen.
According to the '2026 Report on Single-Person Households in Korea' released by KB Financial Group on July 19, the share of savings accounts (28.3%) among single-person households has decreased by 7.8 percentage points compared to two years ago. In contrast, investments in stocks and ETFs (21.1%) increased by 6.1 percentage points, and virtual assets (3.5%) rose by 1.3 percentage points.
The trend of increasing 'debt investment' was also confirmed. The percentage of loan holders who have invested in financial products using loans (34.0%) is up 5.2 percentage points from 28.8% in 2024. This shift is interpreted as a result of the unprecedented rise in the stock market this year, prompting single-person households to actively move their funds from safe assets to investment assets.
Investment experiences using loans showed significant gender differences. Men reported a 42.4% experience rate, double that of women at 21.7%. Among men, the experience rate exceeded 30% across all age groups, with the highest at 49.6% among those in their 20s. Conversely, women did not surpass 25% in any age group.
KB Financial's Management Research Institute noted, "The use of leverage for investment is more prevalent among men than across all single-person households. As investment accompanied by loans expands, the risk for single-person male households may increase."
Additionally, 59.6% of single-person households reported engaging in side jobs, a significant increase from 42.0% in 2022. Most cited 'voluntary reasons' (79.5%) for taking on side jobs, with the primary motivation being to prepare for emergencies or savings (40.4%), indicating a focus on future planning rather than immediate survival. Notably, those managing multiple side jobs exhibited more proactive and confident attitudes towards marriage, retirement, self-development, and overall asset management.
As living alone becomes the new norm in Korean society, consumption patterns, leisure activities, and dietary habits are also changing. Single-person households continue to prioritize cost-effectiveness and personal preferences in their spending while actively choosing premium foods that consider health and leisure activities enjoyed alone.
Satisfaction with their current lives among single-person households stands at 73.5%, with 58.3% expressing a desire to continue this lifestyle. Preferences for leisure activities show a strong inclination towards solitary enjoyment (52.2%), significantly outpacing those who prefer shared experiences (30.0%) or activities with others (17.8%), reflecting a lifestyle that embraces and enjoys time spent alone.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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