A recent survey reveals a significant shift in how South Koreans view environmental issues. According to the Korea Environment Institute, the number of people prioritizing convenience over eco-friendliness has doubled since 2018. In 2025, 23.2% of participants favored convenience in their daily lives. This change comes amid economic struggles, including inflation and joblessness, which have made many people less willing to sacrifice convenience for environmental causes.
In the survey, which involved 3,008 individuals aged 19 to 69, 54.2% said they were still willing to make sacrifices for the environment. However, this is a drop from 70.5% in 2018, reflecting a growing frustration that discussions on climate change have not led to tangible results.
Gender differences emerged in the findings. Men were more likely to prioritize convenience (28.7% compared to 17.6% for women). In contrast, more women (61.5%) said they valued environmental issues over personal convenience, while only 47.2% of men felt the same. Interestingly, men were also less likely to express concerns about climate change, with 31.5% indicating they had no strong feelings about it.
Geographical and age-related trends were notable, too. The younger age group (19-29) showed the highest preference for convenience at 36.2%. Meanwhile, the oldest respondents (60-69) had just 11.3% prioritizing convenience, with a striking 72.1% emphasizing environmental importance.
Despite these changing priorities, 83.5% of respondents acknowledged that climate change significantly impacts society, and 57.9% felt its effects personally. However, concern about climate change has been on a decline, dropping from 89.5% in 2022 to a lower figure in 2024. The awareness seems to be waning even as the perceived personal impact of climate change slightly increased.
Researchers noted this decline in awareness: “The public’s perception of climate issues has deteriorated, despite the ongoing severity of climate change.” It shows a complex interplay between convenience and eco-consciousness influenced by economic conditions.
Interestingly, social media has played a role in shaping opinions. Trends on sites like Twitter and Instagram show an increase in discussions around eco-friendly alternatives. Many users express a desire for quick solutions rather than long-term changes.
In conclusion, while environmental awareness remains high, recent economic pressures have shifted priorities for many South Koreans. This change calls for a re-examination of how we address climate change and the importance of making it convenient for people to choose environmentally friendly options.
For more insights on environmental trends, you can visit the Korea Environment Institute’s website.
