By Lee Hyo-sik
Nearly eight out of every 10 senior citizens living alone in Seoul were found to be women, according to the latest survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan City Government, Sunday.
The elderly residing without family members earn an average of 460,000 won ($400) per month, accounting for only 33 percent of the average-monthly income single-member households make, with 66.1 percent of them living in a rental house.
The city government said there are a total of 82,776 people aged over 65 and living alone in Seoul and it surveyed each of them to take a closer look into their living conditions.
Seoul City said results reveal that 77.1 percent of them are female. About 34 percent of the senior citizens living alone own their home, with the remaining 66 percent paying either monthly rent or paid a one-time lump-sum deposit to landlords.
They earn a monthly average income of 460,000 won, substantially lower than the 1.38 million won salaries of an average single-member household.
Some 64,644 senior citizens, or 78.1 percent, said they suffer from at least one age-related illness. Arthritis is the most common illness afflicting the elderly as 37,341 are grappling with joint pain. Respondents were allowed to choose multiple answers.
Some 35,592 suffer from high blood pressure, followed by back pain at 15,229 and osteoporosis at 13,875.
About 28,000 said they keep in touch with family members more than once a week, with 29,000 contacting offspring and grandchildren no more than three times a month. Around 12,000 were found to have no contact at all with family members.
When asked about how they spend their leisure time, 60,232 said they mostly watch TV or listen to the radio, with some 16,000 engaging in a range of social activities. About 11,000 senior citizens said they go mountain climbing or take a walk, with 2,456 playing chess and 2,150 reading books.