Korean young jobseekers spend 580,000 won monthly on job preparation, survey finds
In short
Young jobseekers in South Korea spent an average of 580,000 won a month on job preparation over the past three months, a survey found. Of the 1,000 respondents aged 19–34, 69.3% said the costs were burdensome.
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Young jobseekers in South Korea spent an average of 580,000 won a month preparing for employment over the previous three months, according to a survey commissioned by the Federation of Korean Industries and carried out by Mono Research. The nationwide survey covered 1,000 people aged 19–34 who were looking for work. It found that 69.3% considered the costs burdensome, while 7.3% said they were not. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Respondents who had been preparing for three years or longer spent an average of 800,000 won a month, compared with 560,000 won for those preparing for less than six months. Those seeking work at large companies spent 700,000 won a month, compared with 630,000 won for mid-sized companies and 590,000 won for small and medium-sized businesses. Education, medicine and health majors reported the highest spending by field, at 740,000 won. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Certification and language-test fees were the most frequently selected largest spending item, at 30.7%, followed by education fees at 22.6% and books and learning materials at 16.1%. Parents and family support was the main source of funding for 32.8%, followed by income such as part-time work at 29.5%, personal savings at 27.3% and central or local government grants at 7.9%. The survey found 70.8% lived with their parents. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Asked which assistance was needed, 25.9% selected support for certification and language-test fees. Housing-cost support followed at 16.7%, job-preparation vouchers at 16.1% and transport subsidies at 11.4%. The federation’s economic affairs chief called for stronger support for exam and course fees to ease the burden, particularly for young people on low incomes. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Parents and family were the most commonly cited main source of funding, at 32.8%. The Federation of Korean Industries called for stronger support for exam fees and course costs, particularly for low-income young people.
Key facts
- The survey covered 1,000 jobseekers aged 19–34 nationwide. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Average monthly job-preparation spending over the previous three months was 580,000 won. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- 69.3% said the costs were burdensome; 7.3% said they were not. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Those preparing for three years or more spent an average of 800,000 won a month. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- 70.8% of respondents lived with their parents. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]