A Little Island Paradise?: Exploring Heterogeneity in the Link Between Solo Living and Loneliness in South Korea

This study investigates the relationship between solo living and the feeling of loneliness in South Korea, where the number of single-person households has been rapidly rising. Using national survey data with an oversample of single-household respondents (N = 1,882), we examine how the link between solo living and loneliness varies by demographic factors, the reasons for living alone, and social networks and participation. Results show that Koreans living alone, on average, report higher levels of loneliness, but middle-aged men are particularly susceptible to loneliness when living alone. We find no difference in loneliness between people who live alone by choice and those who live alone involuntarily. Finally, solo residents with active social lives do not feel lonelier than their non-solo counterparts, indicating that social connections can effectively alleviate the loneliness of solo living. Our findings suggest that researchers need to pay close attention to the heterogeneity in the impacts of solo living on personal well-being.