Brief description of its relationship with SDG-1

South Korea has a complex relationship with SDG 1 (No Poverty), reflecting its transformation from a former aid recipient to a high‑income donor nation while still facing significant domestic poverty challenges. Although the overall relative poverty rate has declined—from 18.5% in 2015 to 15.3% in 2024—the country continues to struggle with extremely high elderly poverty, the highest among OECD members. 

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Key challenges for South Korea under SDG 1 include a very high elderly poverty rate, widening regional disparities, and persistent gaps in the social‑safety net affecting youth, low‑income workers, and single‑parent households. Demographic pressures—such as rapid aging and a record‑low fertility rate—further strain long‑term social and economic stability. To address these issues, Korea is expanding the Basic Pension Program, strengthening support for single‑parent families, and improving living‑allowance schemes.

LIST OF REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Local governments actions for the SDGs: Republic of Korea. United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/local-governments-actions-sdgs-republic-korea

United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP Seoul Policy Centre. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/seoul/sustainable-development-goals

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division. (n.d.). SDG country profile: Republic of Korea. United Nations. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/kor

Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (2026). Korea, Rep. Sustainable Development Report 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026, from https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/korea-rep/