SEOUL – A recent survey conducted by Korea Gallup reveals a significant shift in South Koreans' perception of wealth, with the average threshold for being considered "rich" now standing at 3.3 billion won (approximately $2.4 million USD). This marks a substantial increase from 2.4 billion won just five years ago, reflecting the nation's evolving economic landscape.

The survey highlights a growing disparity in wealth perception, influenced by soaring housing prices and increased financial asset accumulation. Notably, residents of Seoul reported a significantly higher threshold of 4.4 billion won, underscoring the impact of the capital's inflated real estate market.

Survey Findings

The distribution of responses reveals that while 23% of participants considered 1 billion won sufficient to be deemed wealthy, a significant portion, 14% each, cited 2, 3, or 5 billion won. 12% of respondents considered 10 Billion won to be the threshold. This data highlights a wide range of opinions.

Demographic variations further illustrate these trends. Individuals in their 40s, a demographic often heavily invested in real estate and financial markets, reported an average of 3.9 billion won. Those who perceive themselves as living an upper-middle to upper-class lifestyle cited 4.1 billion won.

Economic Factors Driving the Change

Korea Gallup attributes this rising wealth threshold to several factors, primarily the widening gap in housing prices between the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role, fueling a surge in domestic and international stock investments, which in turn exacerbated financial asset disparity.

"The dramatic increase in housing prices, particularly in Seoul, has undoubtedly shifted people's perception of wealth," stated a Korea Gallup spokesperson. "Coupled with the surge in stock market participation, we've seen a clear divergence in asset accumulation."

Supporting Economic Data

According to Statistics Korea, the top 1% of wealthy individuals in South Korea possess a net worth of 3.28 billion won, closely aligning with the survey's findings. However, the average household net worth, as reported by the 2024 Statistics Korea Household Finance Welfare Survey, is 450 million won, revealing a substantial gap between the average citizen and the perceived "wealthy."

Historical Context

The evolution of wealth perception is evident when compared to historical data. In 1993, the average threshold was 1.3 billion won, with 75% of respondents considering 1 billion won or less as "rich." By 2019, this figure had risen to 2.4 billion won, with 40% citing 1 billion won or less. The current 3.3 billion won average and only 31% citing 1 billion or less, illustrates the rapid change.

Implications

The increasing wealth threshold and widening asset disparity raise concerns about social mobility and economic inequality in South Korea. As housing prices continue to climb and financial markets remain volatile, the perception of "wealth" is likely to evolve further.

This survey underscores the need for policies that address housing affordability and promote equitable asset distribution to mitigate the growing gap between the wealthy and the average citizen.

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