South Korea Geriatric Care Service Market Overview, 2030

South Korea’s demographic shift toward a super-aged society has led to structural changes in how eldercare services are prioritized and delivered. The country has one of the world’s fastest-growing elderly populations, which has significantly strained traditional family-based caregiving models. This demographic pattern is reshaping policy decisions and the healthcare ecosystem to accommodate the medical, emotional, and social needs of the elderly. A notable trend is the move away from dependence on multigenerational households to individualized living arrangements, especially in urban centers like Seoul and Busan. As a result, there’s increased pressure on community-based services to offer daily support and companionship. The country’s long-term care insurance (LTCI) scheme, introduced to relieve families of caregiving burdens, covers a wide range of services, including in-home care, day centers, and long-stay facilities. Infrastructure is also being aligned with aging trends residential complexes are being designed with accessibility features, and mobility-friendly public transport is being prioritized. Alongside this, South Korea’s tech-driven healthcare system is rapidly adopting AI, remote health tracking, and robotics to compensate for caregiver shortages and ensure continuity of care. Unlike Western countries, where institutional care is more normalized, South Korea balances between preserving cultural values and adopting modern eldercare systems. The government is continuously reassessing licensing standards, reimbursement models, and quality control metrics to adapt to the rapidly growing elderly population. Elderly poverty and isolation remain key concerns, further influencing the market to not just focus on healthcare delivery but also on creating socially inclusive aging environments. The country’s emphasis on preventive care, rather than reactive hospital-based treatment, continues to shape the way services are delivered and financed.

According to the research report ""South Korea Geriatric Care Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Geriatric Care market is anticipated to grow at more than 8.53 CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Multiple forces are driving the expansion of geriatric care services in South Korea, most notably a steep rise in the elderly population combined with socioeconomic and cultural transformations. With traditional caregiving structures weakening due to smaller family sizes, high urbanization, and delayed marriages, formal care institutions and home-based service models are filling in the gaps. Rising participation of women in the workforce also limits the availability of informal caregivers within families, thereby amplifying the reliance on professional services. National policies like the LTCI scheme have incentivized service providers to develop scalable and diversified care options. Moreover, targeted subsidies for home modifications and caregiver training are helping older adults age in place more safely. Local governments are piloting programs that integrate social welfare with basic healthcare, allowing seniors to receive meal support, companionship visits, and fall-risk assessments, all from the same neighborhood center. Technological innovation is another central enabler. South Korea's leadership in 5G and smart devices is facilitating home monitoring systems, medication adherence apps, and fall-alert systems, all integrated into centralized healthcare dashboards accessible to both families and providers. These tools not only improve care efficiency but also reduce hospitalization rates. Additionally, increasing awareness about mental health issues among older adults has resulted in the integration of mental wellness into mainstream care frameworks. Specialized training programs for dementia caregivers and early screening programs are now actively supported by public institutions. In rural areas, mobile clinics and community health vans are helping bridge the access gap, ensuring that seniors living away from major hospitals still receive timely attention.

In South Korea, home-based eldercare services are the most widely used, offering a personalized solution for seniors who prefer to remain in familiar surroundings. These services are multifaceted, often combining health monitoring, medication support, basic nursing care, and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, cooking, and movement. The increasing deployment of in-home devices like smart mattresses, voice-controlled reminders, and automated pill dispensers has made home care not only safer but also more responsive to individual needs. This segment benefits from both public insurance reimbursements and private sector investment in elderly wellness startups. Meanwhile, adult day care services are growing rapidly, particularly in metropolitan and satellite cities where working professionals seek secure environments for their aging parents during working hours. These centers offer a blend of recreation, light physical activity, cognitive training, and meal services, all under supervised medical observation. Many of them operate from multipurpose welfare centers and are supported by local governments as part of aging-in-community policies. Adult day care is also seen as a buffer that delays or reduces the need for full institutionalization. On the other hand, institutional care facilities, including geriatric hospitals and nursing homes, are focused on individuals requiring continuous clinical supervision or those suffering from cognitive decline and functional immobility. These facilities are particularly common around urban hubs where land availability and specialized staff are more accessible. Yet, public discourse often questions the emotional toll of institutionalization, leading to a push for hybrid models that allow short-term stays with flexible reentry into home or day-care settings.

Eldercare services in South Korea are increasingly being tailored to the needs of specific age bands within the senior population, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer viable. The 65–75 age group typically falls under what is referred to as the ""active aging"" phase. Many individuals in this segment still maintain partial employment, volunteer activity, or community involvement. For them, the primary needs revolve around preventive health screenings, dietary counseling, stress management, and wellness programs such as tai chi or elderly-friendly fitness clubs. The healthcare system facilitates this with mobile screening units and subsidized programs encouraging early detection of diseases. Meanwhile, the 76–85 age group begins to show more noticeable declines in physical stamina and cognitive function. For this segment, home visits by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nutritionists are gaining popularity. Community centers in South Korea are increasingly offering fall prevention workshops and memory clinics targeted at this group. They also tend to access outpatient clinics more frequently, with multiple chronic conditions requiring coordinated care. Care managers often assist in appointment scheduling, transport arrangements, and routine monitoring. The oldest cohort, 86+, typically requires around-the-clock support. Their care journey often involves advanced mobility aids, palliative care, wound management, and cognitive behavioral interventions. As this group often suffers from isolation or depression, structured interaction is encouraged through visiting social workers and therapeutic art or music sessions conducted in care homes. For non-ambulatory seniors, teleconsultation kiosks installed within long-term care facilities allow for regular contact with specialists. The government is also experimenting with individualized care plans that shift resources based on changing dependency levels over time.

Chronic illnesses and cognitive impairments are central to how geriatric care services are designed and delivered in South Korea. Hypertension is one of the most commonly addressed conditions among older adults, with community health centers offering blood pressure monitoring, dietary workshops, and pharmacist-led medication compliance programs. Seniors are also encouraged to participate in walking groups and low-impact exercise programs, many of which are coordinated by district health offices. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias represent one of the most urgent care challenges. South Korea has developed a nationwide dementia care system, which includes memory centers, caregiver education, and neighborhood-based early diagnosis hubs. These efforts are supported by trained dementia coordinators who provide case management and connect families with appropriate resources. Many care homes now feature dementia-friendly layouts, including color-coded hallways, simplified signage, and sensory gardens. Depression is another growing concern, especially among elderly individuals who live alone. In response, municipalities have expanded their “visiting mental health nurse” programs, where trained professionals offer home-based counseling, psychological first aid, and referrals for more specialized care. Peer support networks and art therapy programs are also being piloted in urban areas to address emotional well-being. Diabetes management has been integrated into routine geriatric check-ups through diet control programs, home glucose monitoring systems, and education on foot care. Community health workers are trained to spot complications early and escalate care when necessary. In recent years, efforts have been made to integrate all of these condition-based services into singular platforms, allowing for more coordinated care delivery.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Geriatric Care Service Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Service
• Home care
• Adult day care
• Institutional care

By Age Group
• 65–75 (early care)
• 76–85 (mid-to-heavy care)
• 86+ (intensive care)

By Application
• High blood pressure
• Alzheimer's/dementias
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Other applications Show more