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2 clusters · 5 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Rising debt levels in South Korea

Overview

Data indicates rising debt levels across different demographics in South Korea. For newlywed couples, the median loan balance increased by 130.1% between 2016 and 2024, reaching 179 million won. This trend includes a rise in high-value loans, with the proportion of newlyweds owing more than 300 million won growing from 5.3% to 24.0% during that period.

Simultaneously, student living expense loans provided by the Korea Student Aid Foundation reached 850.6 billion won in 2025, a 32.8% increase since 2023. This rise in student borrowing has been accompanied by a 31.1% increase in loan delinquency balances over the same two-year period.

Entities

Bank of Korea · Ministry of Education · Korea Student Aid Foundation · OECD · KOSIS

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    South Korean student living expense loans reach 850.6 billion won

    South Korean student living expense loans rose to 850.6 billion won in 2025, a 32.8% increase in two years, while loan delinquencies also climbed by 31.1%.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    South Korean newlyweds' median debt rises 130% in eight years

    The median debt for newlywed couples in South Korea has surged 130% over eight years, reaching 179 million won in 2024, with a notable rise in high-value loans exceeding 300 million won.

Sources

imaeil.com · inews365.com · joseilbo.com · kyeonggi.com · mbn.co.kr