중산층 소비자의 소득 - 소비 격차에 따른 소비생활 여건과 문제 및 소비생활만족도 인식 연구

This study overviews Korean middle class consumer’s consumption life conditions, problems and satisfaction, and compares each based on consumer’s class perception discrepancy. Middle class consumer’s class perception discrepancy refers to the gap between their actual income class and class perception based on their consumption life. Raw data using proportional sampling method collected for '2015 Consumption Life Indicators in Korea' were used, and the data include single households and self employed (N=2,575). Results show that the discrepant group has relatively lower consumption outcomes than the parity group. Specifically, consumers in the parity group had better consumption life conditions(more consumption stability and less burden), and more satisfied with their consumption life. In terms of consumption life problems, there was no significant difference between two groups. The results imply that middle class discrepant consumers are at a higher risk of moving down the ladder to the low income class and that the necessary policy implementation is urgently needed to protect this consumer group. Specifically, preventative programs have to be considered to strengthen this group's financial stability and to achieve sustainable consumption patterns.