As to reasons for their dependence, tops was “still receiving financial assistance from parents” (62 percent), followed by “not yet dependent financially and psychologically” (19.7 percent), and “feel safer getting help from parents on important decisions” (14.1 percent). (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study by online recruitment service Job Korea revealed that 56.1 percent of young adults in their 20s and 30s (1,061 individuals) considered themselves to be part of the Kangaroo Generation – those that depend on their parents either financially or psychologically, despite being beyond the typical age of independence. The numbers were 59.3 percent (20s) and 43.8 percent (30s), respectively.
According to Job Korea, the percentage of dependent youth was a significant increase from last year’s figure of 37.5 percent.
Women tended to be more dependent on their parents, with 59 percent of female respondents regarding themselves as such, compared to only 48.3 percent of men.
As to reasons for their dependence, tops was “still receiving financial assistance from parents” (62 percent), followed by “not yet dependent financially and psychologically” (19.7 percent), and “feel safer getting help from parents on important decisions” (14.1 percent).
Among those depending on their parents, 79.3 percent were “unable” to separate themselves rather than not willing to, while 51.9 percent of this subset were incapable of paying for housing and 20.1 percent were trying to save money for the future.
Housing expenses were also the most burdensome even for those not choosing independence, at 35 percent, followed by “not feeling the need to separate” (29.3 percent) and “to save on living costs”.
Among all participants, 34.9 percent believed that “up until marriage” was the most suitable point in life to stop living with their parents.
For respondents in their 20s, answers were “up until marriage” (35.3 percent) and “until employed” (34.7 percent), whereas those in their 30s said “marriage” (33.2 percent), “college graduation” (21.8 percent), and “employment” (20 percent).
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
