Ministry of Health and Welfare 2027 budget proposal of 148.7697 trillion won — livelihood benefit standard median income up 6.7%
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2027 budget proposal is 148.7697 trillion won, 8.2% more than in 2026, and the maximum monthly livelihood benefit payment for a one-person household rises from 821,000 won to 876,000 won.
Key facts
| Total size | 2027 budget proposal of 148.7697 trillion won (8.2% more than in 2026). Including the child basic allowance and the child welcome payment under the Future Response Fund, 152.4328 trillion won (up 10.9%) |
|---|---|
| Livelihood benefit | Standard median income up 6.7% (the largest increase since the 2015 reform to tailored benefits). Maximum monthly payment for a one-person household 821,000 won → 876,000 won |
| Medical benefit | Abolishing the dependent-supporter criterion for people with severe disabilities expands eligible recipients by about 30,000, and support for basic treatment costs is strengthened |
| Basic pension | Related budget up 11%. Wider differentiated payments centred on low-income groups and a smaller couple reduction rate provide up to 124,000 won in additional support |
| Disability pension | Eligibility extended to all people with disabilities of grades 1 to 3 whose disability is severe — more than 260,000 additional beneficiaries |
| 'Deurim' three-part package | New 'Useondeurim emergency welfare' (우선드림긴급복지), which provides 300,000 won in living costs first in a crisis, and 'Chajadeurim' (찾아드림), which strengthens the identification of and initial support for households in crisis. 'Geunyang Deurim' (그냥드림) goes from 150 sites to 300 |
| Regional and essential medical care | A special account for regional essential medical care created from 2027 (total 1.2614 trillion won). A 360.5 billion won 'locally led programme to close medical service gaps' introduced, and a regional doctor scheme with 10 years of mandatory service in the region |
| Jobs for older people | 28,000 more, centred on social service and private-sector types, expanding the total to 1.18 million |
| National pension for young people | Support for the first national pension contribution in life for young people aged 18 |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) said on September 4, 2026 that it has drawn up its 2027 budget proposal at 148.7697 trillion won, 8.2% more than in 2026. Including the child basic allowance (아동기본수당) and the child welcome payment (아이맞이지원금) budgeted under the Future Response Fund (미래대응기금) to be created in 2027, the total comes to 152.4328 trillion won, 10.9% more than in 2026. The standard median income (기준 중위소득) for the livelihood benefit rises by 6.7%, the largest increase since the 2015 reform to tailored benefits, taking the maximum monthly payment for a one-person household from 821,000 won to 876,000 won. For the medical benefit, abolishing the dependent-supporter criterion for people with severe disabilities expands the number of eligible recipients by about 30,000, and eligibility for the disability pension is extended to all people with disabilities of grades 1 to 3 whose disability is severe, increasing the number of beneficiaries by more than 260,000. To close regional gaps in medical care, a special account for regional essential medical care is created from 2027, with a total of 1.2614 trillion won invested.
Background — why this change
The 2027 Ministry of Health and Welfare budget proposal is built around 5 core areas of investment: strengthening the social safety mat that saves people's lives; expanding investment to revive regional and essential medical care; settling integrated community care and strengthening care for all; supporting the recovery and growth of future generations such as children and young people; and the artificial intelligence transformation (AX) of health and welfare together with bio-innovation. Integrated community care services are extended from a focus on older people to include people with disabilities, and 30 new public care centres providing medical, long-term care and care services in one place are to be set up in areas of population decline. In mental health, work is under way on building a call centre system for the 109 suicide prevention counselling line, expanding counselling staff, and introducing an AI-based monitoring system for information that induces suicide.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How much does the livelihood benefit rise?
The standard median income for the livelihood benefit rises by 6.7%, taking the maximum monthly payment for a one-person household from 821,000 won to 876,000 won. It is the largest increase since the 2015 reform to tailored benefits.
How does support related to disability change?
Under the medical benefit, the dependent-supporter criterion for people with severe disabilities is abolished, expanding eligible recipients by about 30,000, and eligibility for the disability pension is extended to all people with disabilities of grades 1 to 3 whose disability is severe, increasing beneficiaries by more than 260,000.
What budget is allocated to regional gaps in medical care?
A special account for regional essential medical care is created from 2027 with a total of 1.2614 trillion won invested, and a new 360.5 billion won locally led programme to close medical service gaps is introduced, under which local governments themselves plan and carry out projects suited to local conditions.