Unmet healthcare needs do not end with the phenomenon itself, but lead to possibilities of increased severity of illness. Missed opportunities
for treatment at the right timing increase possibilities of complications, and affect prognosis of disease. To examine current
status and trends of unmet needs in Korea, we used data from four sources: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (KNHNES, '2007-2016); the Community Health Survey (CHS '2008-2016); the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP '2011-
2014); and the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS '2006-2016). The proportion of individual reporting unmet healthcare needs as
of 2016 was 8.8% (KNHNES), 11.5% (CHS), and 12.8% (KHP, as of 2014). Annual percentage change which characterizes trend for the
follow-up period was -9.9%, -3.1%, and -1.3%, respectively. The proportion of individuals reporting unmet healthcare needs due to
cost was 1.8% (KNHNES), 1.5% (CHS), and 3.0% (KHP). The proportion of households reporting unmet healthcare needs due to cost
was 1.0% (KOWEPS). Annual percentage change was -10.0%, -15.2%, -5.4%, and -17.5%, respectively. Low income populations had
more unmet healthcare needs than high income populations. Therefore, in order to improve unmet healthcare needs, it is necessary
to focus on low income populations.