Synopsis
A recent government report reveals that single-parent families earn about 60% of the average household income, highlighting financial challenges faced by these families. The report also underscores increasing debts and the necessity for enhanced government support.Key Takeaways
- Single-parent families earn only 60% of the average household income.
- Average income for these families is 2.94 million won.
- Debt levels have surged, exceeding 47.2 million won.
- Housing and living expenses are major debt contributors.
- Government support is crucial for child-rearing costs.
Seoul, March 30 (NationPress) The typical monthly earnings of single-parent families are approximately 60% of the overall average for households, as indicated by a government report released on Sunday.
The average income for single-parent households with children younger than 18 reached 2.94 million won ($2,003) in 2024, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
This figure corresponds to 60.3% of the average income for all households, which was reported at 4.89 million won for the year, as per the Yonhap news agency.
Last year, the average debt held by single-parent families was 47.2 million won, more than double the 18.52 million won recorded in 2021. The ministry releases this report on single-parent households every three years.
Over half of the surveyed single-parent households identified housing costs as the primary cause of their debts, while 40.7% attributed it to living expenses, according to the ministry.
On average, these households spent 580,000 won monthly on child-rearing, yet 71.3% of respondents reported never receiving child support from their ex-spouse.
When asked about the most pressing policy for securing child-rearing funds, 71% advocated for enhanced government assistance with urgent child support payments and the introduction of a prepayment system, according to the Yonhap report.
This prepayment system, anticipated to launch in July, will allow the government to furnish single parents with child-rearing funds upfront, later recovering the costs from divorced partners, as outlined in the report.
"Our goal is to ensure that single-parent families can work without the burden of childcare concerns by prioritizing the availability of childcare services," stated a ministry representative.
