By Well that is what the OECD says:
South Korea’s economic and financial indicators have been in good shape but the quality of life for its people remains below the average of members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The OECD Fact Book 2007, which compared various indices of OECD member countries in 2005, showed that Korea commands positive economic indicators relative to other OECD peers.
Korea ranked 23rd in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and 22nd in gross national income (GNI) among the 30 member countries of the leading countries club.
Its economic growth rate was the 11th highest; it placed fourth in household savings and third in labor productivity.
However, Korea was below the OECD average in indicators related with the quality of life. It ranked 29th in social welfare expenditure, indicating that the government needs to further expand projects to strengthen the nation’s social safety net.
I don’t see how giving people free handouts is an indicator of quality of life? Anyway I think that Korea has a high quality of life, but could be better in certain aspects most notably pollution, their long working hours, and a need to modify the educational system, but overall Korea is doing very well for itself and life seems to only be getting better, which is really something when you think about how the Koreans have to live under the constant threat of hostile invasion from North Korea.
7:39 am on April 3rd, 2007 1
I guess it depends on whether you are looking at just the OECD nations to compare or the rest of the world too.
Korea’s society has a great advantage over many in the world, but though I haven’t spent much time in any other OECD besides France, I’d say Korea’s standard of living (at least as of 2002) is too low compared to the others – and for the reasons you mentioned…
Koreans work themselves way too hard. And it isn’t just the hours a week put in – it is the Confucianistic corporate/elders culture coupled with the Han and heavy drinking aspects.
And they start the high-pressure meat grinder in the teen years with their hellish school system.
It seemed to me it was tough being a South Korean.
With all they have been through as a nation over the past 100 years…..and all they have accomplished —- which is a heck of a lot……..hopefully they will learn to relax more and enjoy the prosperity…
….maybe they need a whole lot of culture exchanges with France….
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4:56 pm on April 3rd, 2007 2
I think that Korea is handicapped by the fact it has the North Korean threat but really even despite this life is good within South Korea.
Many of the OECD countries for example can support their elaborate welfare programs because they can piggyback off the US defense umbrella which the ROK doesn’t have the luxury of doing.
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