Health · Pharma & Biotech · 3 hrs ago
One in 10 South Korean adults used a weight-loss drug in past year
A survey of 2,000 adults in South Korea found that 10.3% used or were prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss drug in the past year.
The survey covered people aged 25 to 69 in major cities and included drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Gen Z respondents reported the highest use, at 16.5%, compared with 14.2% of millennials and 2.9% of baby boomers.
About one-third said they might use the drugs in future, while 57.3% said they were concerned about side effects.
People considering the drugs most often cited improving health, managing appearance or body shape, and controlling appetite.
The survey also found that 46.2% had used generative AI for health or medical information, and nearly half had recently felt tired despite resting.
Average daily sleep fell from 6.5 hours in 2024 to 6.3 hours this year; the survey gives no further next steps.
A survey found that 10.3% of South Korean adults had been prescribed or used a GLP-1 weight-loss drug in the past year.
The survey was based on responses from 2,000 adults aged 25 to 69 in major cities.
Use was most common among Generation Z respondents, at 16.5%, and least common among baby boomers, at 2.9%.
About one-third of respondents said they would consider using the drugs in the future, while 57.3% worried about side effects.
The report also found that 46.2% had used generative AI to obtain health or medical information.
- Who
- South Korean adults aged 25 to 69 who took part in the survey.
- What
- A survey found that 10.3% had used or been prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss drug in the past year.
- When
- The survey was conducted from July 21 to August 5, 2026. The report was released on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Major cities in South Korea.
- Why
- The report examined wellness, including weight-loss drug use. Reasons respondents considered using the drugs included improving health, managing appearance or body shape, and controlling appetite.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
KB Financial Group’s management research institute surveyed 2,000 adults aged 25 to 69 in major cities.
The institute released its 2026 Korea Wellness Report.
- Past-year drug use
- 10.3% of respondents
- Generation Z drug use
- 16.5%
- Future use intention
- 33.9% of respondents
- Side-effect concerns
- 57.3% of respondents
- Survey size
- 2,000 adults aged 25 to 69
1 source
What people are saying
health improvement
appearance and body-shape management
appetite control