One in 10 Korean adults said they had been prescribed or used GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight-loss drugs over the past year, with Gen Z leading in use and future interest.

According to the 2026 Korea Wellness Report by KB Financial Group Research Institute, 10.3 percent of respondents had been prescribed or used the medication.

The survey of 2,000 adults aged 25 to 69 found the highest rate among members of Gen Z (born in 1995 or later) at 16.5 percent, followed by millennials (14.2 percent), Gen X (7.7 percent) and baby boomers (2.9 percent).

Men reported higher use than women, at 11.6 percent versus 9 percent. However, awareness was higher among women (83.1 percent) than men (73 percent).

About 33.9 percent said they were willing to use the drugs in the future, rising to 39.7 percent among members of Gen Z. Among previous users, 65.5 percent said they intended to continue.


don@heraldcorp.com