A Study on the Elderly Population and Welfare Housing by Region

1. CONTENTS (1) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to analyze the proportion of the population and movement of the elderly by region, and the actual condition of welfare housing for the elderly. To this end, we will comprehensively review the policy trends of welfare housing for the elderly, spatial distribution according to the elderly welfare housing and aging index by region. In particular, it is meaningful to establish basic data in examining the current status through spatial information system (GIS) analysis and seeking future improvement possibilities of welfare housing for the elderly. (2) RESEARCH METHOD As necessary data for conducting this study, report data provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Statistical Office, academic and degree papers, and various websites were referred to. In particular, an analysis of the actual condition was performed based on the data on future population estimation provided by the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS). (3) RESEARCH FINDINGS Efforts are being made to develop welfare housing for the elderly in various ways to improve housing stability and quality of life, and various efforts are being made to improve housing stability and quality of life for the elderly. In particular, strengthening the legal and institutional foundation, strengthening the linkage of welfare services in residential areas, creating a community-based residential environment, designing various housing types, expanding private participation, and expanding financial support are all important policy trends that enable the elderly to live safely in welfare housing. These efforts are considered to be an important basis for ensuring housing stability for the elderly in the future and improving their quality of life. 2. RESULTS Currently, Korea continues to face new social challenges as it enters the era of low birth rate and aging at the fastest pace in the world. This year in 2025, the elderly population has entered a super-aged society with more than 20% of the total population. This will further highlight the importance related to the elderly welfare housing policy, and implies that the elderly's need for welfare housing will continue to increase. Due to the rapid entry into a super-aged society, the population of the elderly is steadily increasing, and accordingly, the housing problem of the elderly is emerging as a social concern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the proportion of the population and movement status of the elderly by region, and the actual condition of elderly welfare housing. As a result of the analysis, welfare housing for the elderly is distributed intensively in large cities, but supply is relatively insufficient in small local cities. In addition, it was confirmed that the proportion of young people is higher and the aging rate is lower in the center of large cities across the country, while local cities have a relatively high aging rate. Overall, welfare housing for the elderly is considered an essential welfare infrastructure in a super-aged society, so development tailored to the characteristics of each region and the needs of the elderly is necessary. In other words, welfare housing for the elderly should develop into a sustainable welfare model through customized support that reflects the diverse needs and regional characteristics of the elderly, and for this purpose, it will be important to provide comprehensive social and economic support.