Social Withdrawal in Young Adults: Trends and Policy Implications

Abstract

In this article, I analyze the dynamics of social withdrawal among young Korean adults and their needs, drawing on micro-data from the Youth Survey for 2022 and 2024, and present policy suggestions for more effective youth support. The share of socially withdrawn individuals, those who, in near-complete detachment from social engagements, rarely leave their homes, rose from 2.4 percent in 2022 to 5.2 percent in 2024. This increase does not necessarily mean that more young adults have become reclusive; rather, it suggests that some who had previously remained hidden in isolation are, in a sense, stepping forward, voicing their struggles, and seeking support for recovery and independent living. I analyze the living conditions and needs of these socially isolated young adults, a newly recognized vulnerable group, and propose the following policy measures: nationwide expansion of Youth Future Centers and the systematization of support services; tailored assistance to promote recovery and socioeconomic independence; regional expansion of initiatives through hub institutions; training and improved treatment of specialized personnel; the cultivation of public awareness; and the establishment of a medium- to long-term policy roadmap.