Living alone, widowhood, and loneliness among older males and females: longitudinal evidence from South Korea

Although living alone and widowhood are recognised risk factors for loneliness among older adults, their long-term effects in the South Korean context remain underexplored. This paper examines the dynamic relationship between living alone, widowhood, and loneliness among older adults (aged 65 and older) in South Korea. Using longitudinal data from eight waves (2006–2020) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), we employ an adaptation-to-life-events methodology to assess how these two life stressors affect loneliness over time. Older South Korean females are four times more likely to live alone and six times more likely to be widowed than males. Estimation results show that both transitions significantly increase loneliness. Adaptation to living alone is relatively rapid, while adaptation to widowhood is slower. Women experience a spike in loneliness during the first two years of widowhood, followed by partial recovery. In contrast, widowed men experience a sharp increase in loneliness that intensifies over time. We also find that the nexus between living alone and loneliness has gradually weakened from 2006 to 2020, suggesting changing social norms or support structures. Findings highlight the need for gender-responsive policies and targeted support programmes to effectively mitigate loneliness during key life transitions in later life.