How has the Housing Status of the Middle-Income Class Changed over the Past Decade?

Abstract

This article explores the middle class segment of the population in terms of housing status. The middle class is defined as those living in households with incomes ranging between 75% and 200% of the national median presented by the OECD (2019). The housing status is operationally defined by compounding three factors: housing tenure types, housing-related debt, and real estate assets. Microdata from the Household Welfare Financial Survey (2012~2021) of the National Statistical Office were used in the analysis. The main results of identifying the role of housing in maintaining and reproducing the middle class over the past decade are as follows. First, although the proportion of middle-class population has somewhat increased recently, this does not mean that the economic contributions of the middle class has increased. Consequently, it is necessary to develop new indicators that can represent a society with a sizable middle class. Second, housing polarization, which is being differentiated within the middle class, was clearly revealed. Addressing the missing middle issues or marginalized middle class, it is necessary to identify the policy needs and prepare preemptive measures such as expanding affordable housing and alleviating the housing cost burden. Third, in the recent global discourse on housing, South Korea was no exception. The middle class with housing loans become richer compared to middle class without housing loans. Those in the middle class with real estate assets become richer than those without. On the other hand, for the middle class without home ownership but who took out housing loans for rent, the house only represents a debt to be paid back and an object to be struggled with.