2027 standard median income set to rise 6.70% — 6,929,885 won for a four-person household
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Central Living Support Committee of Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare decided on July 28 to set the 2027 standard median income for a four-person household at 6,929,885 won, a 6.70% increase from this year's 6,494,738 won.
Key facts
| Deliberated and resolved | July 28, 2026, 80th meeting of the Central Living Support Committee (Ministry of Health and Welfare) |
|---|---|
| Rate of increase | 6.70% — the highest rate of increase since decisions on the standard median income began in 2015 (previous high: 6.51% for 2026) |
| Four-person household amount | 6,494,738 won this year → 6,929,885 won in 2027 (an increase of 435,147 won) |
| Selection criteria by benefit | Same as this year — livelihood benefit 32%, medical benefit 40%, housing benefit 48%, education benefit 50% |
| 2027 livelihood benefit | Selection criteria and maximum payment of 875,533 won for a one-person household and 2,217,563 won for a four-person household |
| Housing benefit | Standard rent for renting households raised by 12,000 won to 50,000 won compared with this year, depending on rent zone and household size |
| Education benefit | Education activity support allowance raised by an average of 4.7% compared with this year |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare, Basic Livelihood Security Division 044-202-3066, Basic Medical Security Division 3088, Housing Welfare Support Division 044-201-3358, Student Support Coordination Division 044-203-6529 |
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Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that on the 28th it held the 80th meeting of the Central Living Support Committee (중앙생활보장위원회) and deliberated and resolved on the method for calculating the standard median income (기준 중위소득), the 2027 standard median income, and the selection criteria and minimum guarantee levels for each National Basic Livelihood Security benefit. Under the new calculation method, next year's standard median income for a four-person household was set at 6,929,885 won, a 6.70% increase from this year's 6,494,738 won. The 6.70% figure is the highest rate of increase since decisions on the standard median income began in 2015, exceeding the previous high of 6.51% for 2026. The selection criteria by benefit remain the same as this year — 32% for the livelihood benefit, 40% for the medical benefit, 48% for the housing benefit, and 50% for the education benefit — and accordingly the 2027 selection criteria and maximum payment for the livelihood benefit rise to 875,533 won for a one-person household and 2,217,563 won for a four-person household. The household-level selection criteria for the medical, housing, and education benefits were likewise set to reflect the 2027 standard median income. For the housing benefit, the standard rent for renting households will be raised by 12,000 won to 50,000 won compared with this year depending on rent zone and household size, and for the education benefit, the education activity support allowance will be raised by an average of 4.7% compared with this year.
Background — why this change
With the current calculation method for the standard median income — applied for six years from 2021 through 2026 — coming to an end, the government ran a task force (TF) involving experts and relevant ministries as well as a subcommittee on livelihood and self-support benefits from last November, after which the committee reviewed the calculation method a total of three times. The committee held that there was a need to respond actively to the recent deepening of poverty and K-shaped polarization, and decided on the largest increase on record, following 6.42% in 2025 and 6.51% in 2026. The committee also proposed reviewing improvements to the related rules in order to raise the clarity and specificity of the standard median income calculation method going forward.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What is the standard median income and what is it used for?
The standard median income is the midpoint of national household income that the Minister of Health and Welfare publishes, after deliberation and resolution by the Central Living Support Committee, for use as a basis for benefits and the like. It is currently used as the selection criterion for 80 welfare programs across 15 central government ministries, including the National Basic Livelihood Security system.
How much will livelihood benefit payments rise?
Under this decision, the maximum livelihood benefit payment rises by about 55,000 won for a one-person household and about 140,000 won for a four-person household.
How has the method for calculating the standard median income changed?
Going forward, the principle in setting the following year's standard median income is to apply to the current year's standard median income the average rate of increase in the median income from the Survey of Household Finances and Living Conditions over the latest three years, while allowing the rate of increase to be adjusted by reflecting other major social and economic indicators, such as the latest consumer price index and the real economic growth rate, in order to address volatility and time-lag issues. This method will be applied for three years and then evaluated.