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Busan Metropolitan City Expands “Big Data-Based Care Service for Single-Person Households”: Strengthening Care System Using ICT and Big Data

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will recruit an additional 250 households this year (2026) for the “Big Data-Based Care Service for Single-Person Households,” which utilizes information and communication technology (ICT) and big data to respond to the risks of lonely deaths caused by the rise in single-person households and deepening social isolation, thereby expanding the service to a total of 750 households.

The “Big Data-Based Care Service for Single-Person Households” is being implemented as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Smart Village Distribution and Expansion Project. Following the successful completion of a pilot project for 250 households alongside platform development in 2023, the first phase of the distribution project targeting 500 households is currently underway over two years (2025–2026).

Under this project, sensors are installed in participating households to monitor sleep patterns and daily activity data 24 hours a day, enabling real-time analysis to detect abnormal signs in advance. In addition, social welfare professionals conduct weekly check-in calls, providing a service that combines technological care with emotional support.

Existing methods, such as monitoring electricity and gas usage or using one-way call devices, had limitations in that responses were only possible after an incident occurred. In contrast, this service transitions to a preventive management system by analyzing real-time data on sleep patterns, activity levels, and activities of daily living (ADL) to detect unusual signs in advance and provide customized care.

Professional social welfare counselors conduct weekly regular consultations to support the emotional stability of socially isolated single-person households experiencing high levels of isolation and depression. During these consultations, risk factors such as cognitive impairment are identified early and, when necessary, linked to medical and welfare services.

In addition, essential welfare information, such as energy vouchers and medical expense support, is provided in a customized manner to improve accessibility for vulnerable groups with limited access to information. This contributes to eliminating blind spots in welfare services by supporting tangible economic benefits and access to public services.

Furthermore, activity data and consultation histories are shared with guardians and local government officials to establish a public-private cooperative care system and enable rapid responses in crisis situations.

The “Big Data-Based Care Service for Single-Person Households” received the Minister of Science and ICT Award in 2024 in recognition of its excellence. The service has also demonstrated high satisfaction, with a 90.2% improvement in work efficiency for field personnel and 97.7% of users expressing their intention to continue using the service.

The effectiveness of the service has been proven through operational results over the past three years (2023–2025). The average on-site response time in emergencies was 15.25 minutes, and the precision monitoring system reduced unnecessary 119 emergency dispatches by 80.43%.

Additionally, participants’ activity data and consultation records are shared with guardians and local administrative officials through a dedicated system, enabling the implementation of a multi-layered care system in which both administrative agencies and families participate.

In particular, this project has contributed to restoring disconnected social ties among socially isolated households, with participants responding that “it provides great reassurance knowing help is available in emergencies,” demonstrating positive effects in terms of psychological stability.

To date, the city has implemented the project for 500 households across six districts, and new participants for 2026 will be recruited through district and county offices. The city plans to continue expanding the care system to prevent lonely deaths and strengthen the safety of socially isolated households.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, the city has applied for an additional public offering under the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Smart Village Distribution and Expansion Project for 2027, with a budget of 3 billion won over three years (2027–2029). If selected, the project will be expanded to an additional 750 households, bringing the total to 1,500 households across Busan Metropolitan City.

Jeong Tae-gi, Director General of the Social Welfare Bureau, stated, “We will actively support strengthening the care system that combines proven technology and emotional support so that Busan can establish itself as a leading city in digital care.”