Adult Diaper Sales in South Korea Outpace Baby Diapers Amid Aging Population

An elderly man wearing a face mask sits on a bench during polluted weather in Seoul on March 20, 2019. - The concentration of fine dust particles in the air has surged in recent weeks and reached a record high in Seoul on March 5, prompting the government to advise people to wear masks, use public transportation and avoid walking outside. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images

Sales of adult diapers in South Korea surpassed those of infant diapers in 2021, according to government data on Tuesday, a trend presumably prompted by the country’s aging population and declining birth rate.

South Korea produced and imported 112,000 tonnes of adult disposable diapers in 2021, an increase from 86,000 tonnes in the previous year, Chosun Ilbo reported, citing data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.