A Study of the Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of the New Middle-aged

Abstract

Due to rapid population aging, Korea’s productive population is on the decline after reaching its peak in 2018. The government is considering those aged between 50 and 69, who still belong to productive age but who find it difficult to keep participating in productive activities due to the current retirement age limit and corporate culture, as an important human capital in the era of population aging, exerting efforts to help them continuously contribute to society. However, there is a lack of data with which to systematically describe a thorough picture of the socioeconomic traits of the new middle-aged. This has led to a limited policy coverage focusing solely on the employment facet the new middle-aged. The objective of this study is to provide basic information on the new middle-aged, especially on their living conditions and welfare needs, and to draw implications for comprehensive policy-making for those population groups.