One third of the South Korean population is raising a pet; government data reveals an interesting fact
In South Korea, pet ownership has become a meaningful part of everyday life. With nearly one-third of the population raising a pet, many people embrace the joy, companionship, and unconditional love that come with caring for animals. The growing number of pet owners reflects how deeply valued these relationships have become in Korean society.
Having a pet at home is one of the most cherished things for many of us. To play with them, to take care of them, and to be loved by them — all these are blissful feelings that only a pet owner can truly understand. We often wish everyone in the world could experience this. Well, the people of South Korea seem to have understood this, and they are making pets a part of everyday life. Not just a small percentage — data proves that almost one-third of the South Korean population is raising a pet.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of South Korea recently shared the results of its latest survey on pet ownership trends and public awareness of animal welfare. The findings show that 29.2% of households were raising pets last year, marking a 3.8 percentage point increase from 25.4% recorded in 2022. The ownership rate has steadily risen since 2018, when it stood at 23.7%.
Among households with pets, dogs remain the most preferred. While 80.5% of pet-owning households are raising dogs, 14.4% have cats in their homes.
Adoption patterns revealed that nearly half of pet owners (46%) acquired their animals through acquaintances, either for free or for a fee. Pet shop purchases accounted for 28.7%, while 9% reported bringing in stray cats or other animals.
Not just that, even the number of people planning to have a pet soon is rapidly increasing. About 22.8% of respondents said they plan to adopt a pet within the next year. On the other hand, people who do not plan to adopt a pet have very practical reasons for their decision. The most common reason was lack of time (25.3%), followed by financial burden (18.2%) and lack of confidence in properly caring for a pet (16.3%).
The report also reveals the monthly spending per pet. The average monthly cost reached 121,000 Korean won. Food and treats made up the largest share at 39,900 won, followed closely by veterinary expenses at 36,800 won. Grooming and hygiene costs averaged 21,000 won, while product purchases such as toys and supplies totaled 18,800 won. Boarding and care services accounted for 5,000 won per month on average.
Dog owners were found to spend significantly more than cat owners. Monthly expenses for dogs averaged 135,000 won, compared with 92,000 won for cats — a difference of 43,000 won.
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