South Korea’s healthcare landscape is seeing a rare shift in patient behavior. For the first time in four years, the average number of outpatient visits per person has begun to decline, signaling a potential change in how the population accesses medical services.
According to a health service utilization statistics report released on April 7 by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), the average number of outpatient visits per person in 2024 was 17.9. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the 18.0 visits recorded the previous year per the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service report. This downward trend is the first occurrence since 2020, when visits dropped by 14.5% compared to the prior year.
Despite this slight dip, South Koreans continue to visit doctors at a rate significantly higher than their global peers. The 2024 figures present that South Koreans utilize outpatient services nearly three times as often as the average citizen in other OECD member nations. This high frequency of visits is often viewed as a key indicator of the country’s exceptional medical accessibility, though it similarly raises questions about healthcare efficiency and sustainability.
The data, which excludes dentists but includes traditional Korean medicine practitioners, highlights a stark contrast between domestic habits and international norms. Whereas the domestic average sits at 17.9, the OECD average was recorded at 6.0 visits per person as of 2023, meaning South Koreans visit outpatient clinics 2.98 times more often than the average OECD citizen according to HIRA statistics.
Demographic Trends: Gender and Age Disparities in Care
The utilization of outpatient services is not uniform across the population, with significant variances based on gender and age. When including dental visits in the total count, the overall number of outpatient visits reached 1.01398 billion. This total is split between 448.71 million visits by men and 565.27 million visits by women.
On a per-person basis, women exhibit a higher rate of medical consultation. The average number of outpatient visits for women was 21.8, compared to 17.3 for men. This suggests that women in South Korea are more likely to seek medical attention or manage chronic conditions through regular outpatient visits.
Age is an even more critical driver of healthcare utilization. The data shows a steady increase in visits as patients age. The lowest utilization rate was found among those aged 20 to 24, who averaged 8.7 visits per year. This number climbed steadily across age brackets, peaking with those aged 75 to 79, who averaged 40.8 visits per year as detailed in the HIRA report.
Leading Health Concerns and Primary Care Hubs
The statistics also provide a glimpse into the most common health issues driving these millions of visits. Using the 22 categories of the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD), “diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue”—which includes conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis—emerged as the most frequent reason for seeking outpatient care.
Visits related to musculoskeletal issues totaled 198.62 million. On average, each South Korean citizen visited a clinic for these specific ailments 3.8 times per year per the HIRA 2024 report. This underscores the significant burden of chronic joint and bone health issues within the aging population.
In terms of where these patients are being treated, tiny clinics (primary care offices) remain the dominant choice. Out of the total 1.01398 billion outpatient visits, 616.98 million took place at clinics, accounting for 69.8% of all visits. The average person visited a clinic 11.9 times per year, highlighting the central role of local primary care providers in the South Korean healthcare delivery system.
Key Takeaways from the 2024 Healthcare Statistics
- Trend Shift: Outpatient visits fell to 17.9 per person, the first decrease since the 2020 pandemic-era drop.
- Global Contrast: South Korea’s visit rate is 2.98 times higher than the OECD average of 6.0 visits.
- Gender Gap: Women average 21.8 visits annually, while men average 17.3.
- Age Peak: Healthcare utilization peaks in the 75–79 age group at 40.8 visits per person.
- Primary Driver: Musculoskeletal diseases are the most common reason for visits, averaging 3.8 visits per person.
- Preferred Setting: Nearly 70% of all outpatient care is delivered via local clinics.
The continued high volume of outpatient visits, even with a slight decline, reflects a system where medical care is highly accessible but heavily utilized. As the population continues to age—evidenced by the peak usage in the late 70s—the pressure on primary care clinics is likely to remain substantial.
The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service continues to monitor these trends to inform healthcare policy and resource allocation. Further updates on medical service utilization are typically released through their annual statistical reports.
Do you believe high medical accessibility leads to better health outcomes or over-utilization? Share your thoughts in the comments below.