The Korea Consumer Agency (President Yoon Soo-hyun) has released an in-depth regional analysis of the 「2025 Korea Consumer Life Index」. The findings were published to share and utilize the consumer characteristics of the local government with the highest consumer life satisfaction nationwide, aiming to improve and expand consumer life conditions across the country.

According to an analysis of overall consumer life satisfaction across 17 metropolitan local governments, Daejeon Metropolitan City ranked first nationwide with a score of 67.4 points. Notably, the Daejeon region recorded high satisfaction in the "food and dining-out" sector—a daily necessity—while showing higher traditional market usage rates than department stores and more active consumer cooperative (co-op) participation than the national average.

Overall Consumer Life Satisfaction Rises from 2nd Place in 2023 to 1st in 2025 Consumer life satisfaction perceived by residents in Daejeon reached a nationwide high of 67.4 points, which is 3.7 points higher than the national average (63.7 points). Although overall consumer life satisfaction scores generally exhibited a downward trend in 2025, Daejeon's ranking rose from second place nationwide in 2023 to first place in 2025.

Daejeon Consumers Report Highest Satisfaction in "Food and Dining-Out" Sector In 2025, consumer life satisfaction in Daejeon was highest in the "food and dining-out" sector at 73.0 points, followed by "housing and household goods" at 72.8 points, and "clothing" at 72.0 points. Conversely, satisfaction was relatively low in family events and funeral services (65.7 points), automobiles and transportation (66.7 points), and finance and insurance (67.4 points).

Particularly, satisfaction in the "food and dining-out" sector rose from 3rd place in 2023 to 1st in 2025. Significant increases were also observed in housing and household goods (rising from joint 5th to 2nd) and clothing (rising from joint 5th to 3rd). On the other hand, rankings fell for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector (from 2nd to 4th) and the medical and care sector (from 4th to 5th).

Consumer Problem Experience Rate Highest in Mobile Shopping at 44.3% The "consumer problem experience rate" refers to the proportion of consumers who encountered problems (obstacles, inconveniences, etc.) throughout the entire process of purchasing and consuming products or services. Daejeon's consumer problem experience rate stood at 47.9%, lower than the national average (50.4%). By transaction type, mobile shopping recorded the highest rate at 44.3%, closely followed by internet shopping at 41.0%. By product category, food (agricultural, livestock, fishery, processed, and health foods) accounted for the largest share at 31.5%, followed by dining-out services (29.1%) and delivery/takeout services (28.2%).

Local Small Business Usage Rate: 68.0% of Daejeon Consumers Use Local Small Businesses The usage rate of local small businesses among Daejeon consumers was 68.0%, and the traditional market usage rate reached 40.9%, surpassing department stores (36.5%). Notably, the consumer cooperative usage rate stood at 10.6%, approximately double the national average (5.5%). These results are attributed to the popularity of local confectionery and food service businesses related to the "food and dining-out" sector, as well as the implementation of local commercial district revitalization policies such as local love gift certificates.

The proportion of consumers who experienced problems while using local small businesses* was 6.6%, which is half of the national average (13.2%). *(Note: Surveyed regarding problems experienced by Daejeon consumers while using traditional markets, local food markets, and consumer cooperatives.)

Daejeon Metropolitan City plans to further strengthen a safe consumer environment through the operation of the Consumer Life Center, consumer rights education and campaigns, and "Ontong Daejeon 2.0."

The Korea Consumer Agency plans to provide the regional analysis results of the 「Korea Consumer Life Index」 to 17 metropolitan local governments so that they can be utilized in establishing and implementing consumer policies that local residents can genuinely experience.

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