A Study on Housing Preference Characteristics of Single-Person Households—Focusing on a Comparison Between Seoul’s Youth and Middle-Aged People-

초록

In South Korea, the number of single-person households has been rapidly increasing due to factors such as the aging population, low birth rates, changing perceptions of marriage, and family dissolution. The growth of single-person households is an inevitable social structural change, observed not only in advanced countries but also in relatively fast-growing economies. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of single-person household members residing in Seoul, focusing on middle-aged individuals (40–64 years old) and young adults (under 40 years old). Additionally, the research analyzed how housing selection factors and preferred housing types differ across age groups. Specifically, an online survey was conducted to examine the key characteristics of single-person households among middle-aged and young adults living in Seoul, and a t-test was employed to compare housing preferences between the two groups. The results indicated that the younger age group prioritizes factors such as crime prevention, accessibility to public transportation, good housing conditions, proximity to the workplace, nearby convenience facilities, and safety. In contrast, individuals aged 40 and above in the middle-aged group prioritize factors like the presence of nearby parks, educational environments, and parking facilities, with a strong emphasis on green living environments. This research underscores the need for tailored housing policies for single-person households based on household types and age-related housing demand considerations. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

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