A recent study shows South Korean workers endure the world's longest average daily commute of 108 minutes, leading to serious health risks. Experts link it to obesity, hypertension, and elevated mortality. Advice for managing health during commutes is also provided.
Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and McGill University published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finding that among 43 countries surveyed, South Korea tops the list with an average daily commute of 108 minutes. The global average stands at 68 minutes, while Morocco has the shortest at 48 minutes—less than half of Korea's. The study was released on November 22, 2025.
Cho Soo-hyun, a family medicine professor at Chung-Ang University Hospital, stated that long commuting hours reduce time for physical activity and socializing, often leading to late dinners and poor sleep. “These factors can cause weight gain, reduced exercise capacity and hypertension,” she said. A Washington University School of Medicine study indicated that commutes over 24 kilometers significantly increase risks of obesity and lack of exercise. Sweden’s Umea University tracked individuals for 14 years and found women with long commutes had a 54 percent higher mortality rate than those with shorter ones.
Extended commutes erode essential routines like sleep, exercise, and leisure. Cho warned, “Stress caused by long commutes can increase blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease and even death.” She added that such commutes heighten proneness to depression, anxiety, social isolation, irritability, cognitive decline, poor sleep quality, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Given housing costs and job locations make shortening commutes unrealistic for many, in-transit health management is crucial. Lee Sang-yoon, a rehabilitation medicine professor at Chung-Ang University Hospital, advised, “When sitting on public transportation, avoid crossing your legs, sit with your hips close to the backrest, and keep your neck, back and shoulders straight to reduce stress on the spine and joints.” For standing, he recommended stretching knees and ankles regularly and repeatedly lifting and lowering heels. “If using a smartphone or reading, turn your neck left and right every 20 minutes to prevent stiffness,” he said.