More than eight in 10 South Korean adults wash their hands after using a restroom, but few use soap or scrub thoroughly for an adequate length of time, a government survey found.
More Adults Wash Hands, but Soap Use Stays Below Half
The handwashing rate after restroom use stood at 86.0%, according to the first-half 2026 survey on infectious disease prevention behavior released on the 15th by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the National Medical Center. That is up 1.9 percentage points from 84.1% a year earlier.
The survey was conducted from May 28 to June 30 at 120 public restrooms nationwide, with researchers directly observing whether 4,560 adults washed their hands. Of those, 1,800 were also asked about their usual handwashing habits in an exit survey.
Among those who washed their hands, only 46.7% used soap. That figure rose 1.7 percentage points from the previous year but still fell short of half. Another 39.3% washed with water alone, while 14.0% did not wash their hands at all.
Even among those who washed, few followed recommended methods and timing. The rate of "proper handwashing" — using soap and scrubbing all parts of the hands under running water for at least 30 seconds — was just 11.4%. That follows 10.5% in 2024 and 10.3% last year, leaving the figure stuck in the low 10% range again this year.
Actual Washing Takes 14 Seconds, Far Below Self-Reported Rate
The time spent washing also fell well short of guidelines. Adults washed their hands for an average of 13.9 seconds after using a restroom, and those who used soap spent only 5.8 seconds lathering and scrubbing. Both figures were longer than a year earlier, by 1.7 seconds and 1.0 second respectively, but remained far below the 30-second standard.
By contrast, 51.2% of exit survey respondents said they normally practice proper handwashing. That is a substantial gap from the 11.4% rate confirmed through direct observation, pointing to a disconnect between how people assess their own hygiene habits and how they actually behave.
Last year's survey of 4,893 adults also found a post-toilet handwashing rate of 84.1%. Among men, 21.4% did not wash their hands, roughly double the 10.6% rate among women.
The agency expanded the survey from once a year to twice, covering the first and second halves, starting this year, and added an exit survey for some of those observed. The second-half survey is now underway, and annual final results combining both halves are scheduled for release in December.
"Handwashing is a basic infectious disease prevention measure that anyone can easily practice in daily life at no cost," KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said. "In particular, with the winter season bringing outbreaks of respiratory infections such as influenza, please strictly observe personal hygiene rules including handwashing and cough etiquette."
Legionella Found at One in Nine Seoul Public Facilities
Legionella bacteria were detected at roughly one in 10 multi-use facilities in Seoul, including public baths, jjimjilbang sauna facilities and department stores.
Key findings
Survey result: Bacteria detected at 11.1% of Seoul multi-use facilities
Public baths and jjimjilbang: 162 cases, or 66% of all detections
Highest detection rate: Department stores and large shopping centers, at 31.9%
Groups at risk: High-risk individuals including people with diabetes, hypertension or weakened immune systems
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