Reports of elder abuse filed last year reached 26,000, with spouses accounting for the largest share of abusers, emerging as a new social problem in an aging society.
According to the "2025 Elder Abuse Status Report" released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Wednesday, 26,578 elder abuse reports were filed last year at 39 elder protection agencies nationwide. This represents a 16.8% increase from the previous year. Of these, 7,973 cases were determined to be actual abuse, up 11.2% from the previous year.
Homes overwhelmingly accounted for the locations where abuse occurred. A total of 7,076 cases, or 88.7% of all abuse cases, took place at home. Residential facilities accounted for 614 cases, and day-use facilities for 87 cases. Domestic abuse rose 11.9% from the previous year, continuing its upward trend.
Physical abuse was the most common type of elder abuse at 44.2%, followed by emotional abuse at 43.5%. Neglect accounted for 5.3%. Experts said that beyond direct violence, emotional abuse such as verbal abuse, neglect, and isolation has reached a serious level.
Abusers: More Spouses Than Sons, Rising Since 2021 Reversal
Among abuser types, spouses accounted for the largest share at 39.4%, amounting to 3,563 cases. Sons followed at 23.5% (2,123 cases).
Just a few years ago, sons were the most common elder abusers, but the situation has changed. In 2020, sons accounted for 34.2% and spouses for 31.7%, but since the spouse rate reversed in 2021, it has continued to rise.
The MOHW cited the increase in elderly couple households as the main cause. As average life expectancy lengthens, the period couples live together has increased, while growing caregiving burdens and economic stress have led to more cases where conflict turns into abuse, according to the ministry's explanation.
Looking at the types of households where abuse occurred, elderly couple households were the most common at 42.3%. Households living with children accounted for 27.7%, and elderly single-person households for 15.8%.
The age of abusers is also rising. The share of abusers aged 60 and older rose from 46.9% in 2020 to 59.2% last year. In contrast, the share of those in their 50s and younger fell from 53.1% to 40.8% over the same period.
Government to Conduct AI-Based Continuous Monitoring, Expand Mandatory Reporters
Among elderly abuse victims, those in their 70s were the most common at 42.3%, followed by those in their 80s (26.4%) and 60s (26.0%). In particular, victim cases in the 65-74 age group steadily increased, accounting for 48.6%, nearly half of the total.
Repeat abuse cases also numbered 884 last year. While the number increased from the previous year, its share of total abuse cases fell slightly to 11.1%.
The government plans to strengthen its response system to prevent and detect elder abuse early. Starting in October, nursing assistants and social workers employed at medical institutions will be additionally designated as mandatory reporters of elder abuse. The government also plans to improve the functions of the elder abuse reporting application "Nabisaegim" and expand a continuous monitoring system using artificial intelligence (AI) counselors and information and communications technology (ICT) equipment for high-risk households.
In addition, the government plans to introduce specialized counseling programs targeting not only elderly abuse victims but also abusers to prevent repeat abuse, and will work to expand elder protection agencies and dedicated shelters for elderly abuse victims.
Eun Sung-ho, head of the MOHW's Office of Population and Social Service Policy, said, "As with the catchphrase of this event, public attention is most important in solving the elder abuse problem. We will operate a tightly woven elder abuse prevention system through measures such as expanding the occupational categories of mandatory reporters, strengthening follow-up management including AI monitoring for elderly abuse victims, and expanding the distribution of ICT devices for groups at risk of repeat abuse."
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