Deaths of Despair and Economic Insecurity in Korea
Yoonjae Lee
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin, Osaka, Japan
Publication date: April 10, 2025
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin, Osaka, Japan
Publication date: April 10, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC202444
ABSTRACT
We examine the recent increase in deaths of despair by presenting the data on mortality from drugs, alcohol, and suicides in Korea. In the US, deaths of despair increased after the 2000s among middle-aged white non-Hispanic workers with low education. It is reported that rising economic insecurity along with globalization was associated with their increase. We investigate the relationship between deaths of despair and economic insecurity in Korea. Rising income inequality and poverty after the 1997 financial crisis led to a fast increase in suicides in the early 2000s. The recent increase in deaths related to alcohol and drugs also had a close relationship with the subjective feeling of less equality of opportunity. We emphasize the role of the government in reducing deaths of despair by expanding social welfare and enhancing health policies.
We examine the recent increase in deaths of despair by presenting the data on mortality from drugs, alcohol, and suicides in Korea. In the US, deaths of despair increased after the 2000s among middle-aged white non-Hispanic workers with low education. It is reported that rising economic insecurity along with globalization was associated with their increase. We investigate the relationship between deaths of despair and economic insecurity in Korea. Rising income inequality and poverty after the 1997 financial crisis led to a fast increase in suicides in the early 2000s. The recent increase in deaths related to alcohol and drugs also had a close relationship with the subjective feeling of less equality of opportunity. We emphasize the role of the government in reducing deaths of despair by expanding social welfare and enhancing health policies.
