Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Korea

Summary of key data and information

	Summary of key data and information
Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1)	People experiencing homelessness are defined as persons who have lived without a permanent abode for a substantial period, persons who have used a facility for the homeless or have lived in a facility for the homeless for a substantial period and persons who have lived at a place with substantially low habitability for a substantial period.
Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3)	12 725 individuals, representing 0.02% of the total population (2024)
	22.4% are women, 77.6% are men
	Point-in-time count, based on the Status Study of the Homeless
	ETHOS Light groups included	Included: ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) Not included: ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing)
	Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.
Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4)	According to the Act on Support for Welfare and Self-Reliance of the Homeless, the Minister of Health and Welfare must conduct a fact-finding survey every five years as to the current state, needs, and psychological state of homeless persons and the state of assistance provided to such persons by the public and private sectors.
Homelessness Strategy (Table 5)	National Homelessness Strategy: The 2nd Comprehensive Plan for Welfare and Self-Reliance Support for the Homeless Other (e.g. anti-poverty, housing) national strategies addressing homelessness: Anti-poverty strategy, Healthcare strategy Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist
Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6)	Status Study on the Homeless: Enumerators count and survey people experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping rough, in homelessness facilities and living in jjokbang (Table 6.1).

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness

Statistical definition

Homelessness

According to the Act on Support for Welfare and Self-Reliance of the Homeless, homeless persons are defined as: (a) Persons who have lived without a permanent abode for a substantial period; (b) Persons who have used a facility for the homeless or have lived in a facility for the homeless for a substantial period; (c) Persons who have lived at a place with substantially low habitability for a substantial period.

Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation

Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology

Year	Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals)	% of total population	ETHOS Light 1 People living rough	ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation	ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless	ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions	ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings	ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends
2016	17 532	0.03%	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included
2021	14 404	0.03%	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included
2024	12 725	0.02%	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included	Included in headline estimate but not specified	Not included
Metadata: Type of count: Point-in-time Data are comparable across years: Yes Included in headline estimate: Children: No Temporary accommodation for: Asylum seekers: No Refugees: No Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No

Note: Percentage of total population is an OECD calculation based on historical population data.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Health and Welfare (2025), Status study on the homeless.

Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation

Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2024

	Single adults	Men	Women	Youth (aged 15‑29)	Older people (aged 65 and over)	Families with children (# of households)
Headline estimate of homelessness	NA	9 865	2 851	NA	NA	NA
As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness	NA	77.60%	22.40%	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 1: People living rough	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Metadata: Type of count: Point-in-time Included in headline estimate: Children: No Temporary accommodation for: Asylum seekers: No Refugees: No Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No

Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Health and Welfare (2025), Status study on the homeless.

Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness

	Legal framework
Law that governs data collection on homelessness	Act on Support for Welfare and Self-Reliance of the Homeless
Legal obligations	The Minister of Health and Welfare must conduct a fact-finding survey every five years as to the current state, needs, and psychological state of homeless persons and the state of assistance provided to such persons by the public and private sectors, and publish the results thereof. The Minister of Health and Welfare may also request the head of a relevant central administrative agency, local government, public institution, corporation, or other organization to submit necessary materials or to present their opinions to inform the survey.

Table 5. Homelessness strategy

	Homelessness strategies in place
National Homelessness Strategy	National Homelessness Strategy: The 2nd Comprehensive Plan for Welfare and Self-Reliance Support for the Homeless Other (e.g. anti-poverty, housing) national strategies addressing homelessness: Anti-poverty strategy, Healthcare strategy
Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist	Yes.

Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness

6.1. Status Study on the Homeless
Description Enumerators count and survey people experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping rough, staying in homeless facilities, and living in jjokbang. The homelessness survey includes both a point-in-time enumeration and interviews of a sample of those being enumerated. In 2024, a total of 12,725 individuals were enumerated, while 1,700 individuals were interviewed. The enumeration was conducted in May while the interviews were conducted in May and June.
Type of count generated Point-in-time	Methods Street count Service-based method
Lead authority(ies) Ministry of Health and Welfare	Source(s) of information People experiencing homelessness were enumerated and/or interviewed directly
Scope National level	Depth of data The enumeration includes basic demographic information while the interviews provide detailed demographic information, as well as information about the living conditions for people experiencing homelessness
Frequency Every 5 years
ETHOS Light groups included: ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.
Notes and sources 2024 Homeless Survey Results Announced - Press Release | Briefing Room | News | Republic of Korea Policy Briefing

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1.Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housing-database.html.

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