This study investigates how individual and regional factors influence health satisfaction in South Korea, focusing on disparities in healthcare access and economic resources across regions. Using multilevel analysis, it examines the combined effects of individual sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., subjective health status, chronic illness, disability) and regional variables (e.g., employment rate, fiscal independence, healthcare infrastructure) on health satisfaction. Data were sourced from the 2021 Koreans’ Happiness Survey and regional statistics from Statistics Korea, covering a representative sample of 17,357 individuals and 225 municipalities. Results reveal significant variation in health satisfaction across regions, with individual factors like education and income positively associated with satisfaction, while perceived stress and chronic illness have negative impacts. Regional healthcare resources and economic resilience were found to interact with subjective health, further influencing satisfaction levels. This study highlights the importance of regional economic support and healthcare accessibility in fostering health equity, offering policy insights for addressing health disparities. Through a comprehensive multilevel model, the research provides evidence of the resilience-building role of both individual and regional factors in shaping equitable health outcomes.
