Respondents cited “lack of personal life”, which accounted for 43.3 percent as the first reason for wanting to leave South Korea. (image: Incheon International Airport Corp.)
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — A majority of South Korean adults still dream of moving to a different country, despite their enormous efforts to stay abreast of the intensely competitive society.
According to the results of an online survey of 4,229 adults conducted by job portal Saramin, 60.2 percent of the respondents said they wanted to leave South Korea and emigrate.
By age group, people in their 30s were most willing to emigrate at 66 percent.
This is attributed to the fact that entry-level workers are faced with a trying working environment while also navigating the complexities of marriage, childbirth and childcare.
Respondents cited “lack of personal life”, which accounted for 43.3 percent as the first reason for wanting to leave South Korea.
Next, they cited “wanting to have a new experience” which accounted for 43 percent, and “willingness to live in a country with a better welfare system”, which accounted for 41 percent.
The U.S. and Canada, accounting for 45 percent, topped the list of countries respondents wanted to emigrate to.
Next were Australia and New Zealand, accounting for 37.4 percent, countries in Northern Europe such as Denmark and Sweden, accounting for 28.7 percent, and Western Europe such as France and Germany, accounting for 21.9 percent.
However, not many people actually thought they would be able to leave Korea. Seven out of 10 respondents, or 66.6 percent, said they would not be able to emigrate overseas.
As for the reason, 48.2 percent said that they weren’t sure they would be able to find a job overseas. Some 32 percent said they didn’t know anyone in the places that they might be interested in moving to, while 25.5 percent cited “expensive housing” and 25.1 percent said that their family wanted them to stay in South Korea.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
