Research Cluster

Democracy Cluster Future of Science and Technology Cluster Economic Security Cluster Population Cluster Global Korea Cluster Carbon Neutrality Cluster Balanced Regional Growth and Resilience Cluster [Expired]Pandemic Cluster

TF Project

[Expired]Foundational study for the advanced revision of the Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement [Expired]Preparation for Four Geopolitical Risks [Expired]Labor market reform tasks for restoring the dynamism of the Korean economy [Expired]Problems and Improvement Plans of Korean Education [Expired]Questions for the future of science and technology in Korea [Expired]Security and Economic Cooperation between Korea and Japan [Expired]The future of population for a sustainable society [Expired]Directions for sustainable future healthcare reform [Expired]Healthcare system improvements for the establishment of the primary care physician system [Expired]Avian influenza pandemic risk assessment and preparedness [Expired]The stagnant growth crisis: national strategy for economic prosperity

 

[Expired]Research on the outlook for key sectors of population change and response strategies [Expired]Exploring the public education system and its functions in population decline era [Expired]Policy advisory service for enhancing the future competitiveness of nuclear energy [Expired]Establishment of KEPCO's medium-to-long-term response strategy [Expired]Future agricultural and rural development strategies & response tasks for the Korea rural community [Expired]Rewriting Democracy [Expired]In the Era of Technological Competition, Korea's Future Prospects [Expired]Developing a nationally-unified response system to address frauds involving multiple victims [Expired]Changes in international politics and the rise of the global south [Expired]Research on identifying policy agendas and research issues for the national AI strategy

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Title Demographic and Social Structural Changes and Mental Health: Prospects and Responses in an Aging Society Hit 327
Publication 2025-06-16

Institute for Future Strategy Issue Brief, June Vol. 36
“Demographic and Social Change and Mental Health: Prospects and Responses in an Aging Society”

This issue brief analyses the structural causes of the growing mental health challenges among the elderly in the era of population aging and discusses policy directions to address them. Korea is projected to enter an extreme super-aged society by 2065, when the total population will decline while those aged 65 and older will account for 47% of the population. In particular, the sharp increase in the population aged 85 and older, the rise in elderly single-person households, and the growing numbers at high risk of dementia, depression, and suicide underscore the seriousness of mental health issues in later life.

Reflecting this reality, the brief comprehensively presents: ▲ trends in aging and the increase of elderly single-person households, ▲ analysis of dementia, depression, and suicide high-risk groups by gender and age, ▲ socio-economic factors affecting elderly mental health, ▲ assessment of current policies and identification of blind spots, and ▲ essential policy directions such as integrated mental health services and decision-support systems.

In particular, the brief emphasises the need for a “National Responsibility System for Mental Health”, grounded in policy analysis that addresses survival, safety, psychological, and self-esteem needs. It calls for a paradigm shift in welfare to enhance quality of life and promote mental health in an aging society.

Keywords
Aging, elderly mental health, dementia, depression, suicide risk, National Responsibility System for Mental Health

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