(Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of young South Koreans who have positive expectations for the national economy has grown sharply this year, a survey showed Tuesday.
Some 48 percent of 313 South Korean regular workers who were born between 1983 and 1994 said the national economy will improve this year, auditing firm Deloitte Korea said, citing the Deloitte Millennial Survey conducted by Deloitte Global. The poll has been carried out on an annual basis since 2011.
The figure is a sharp turnaround from the previous year when a mere 13 percent held such a positive outlook. Over the past several years, the figure had been on a constant decrease — from 28 percent in 2014 to 19 percent in 2015 and 16 percent in 2016, according to the firm.
Asked about their views on the future of the country’s overall social and political developments, 52 percent said things will get better this year, higher than the global average of 33 percent, the survey showed.
“The millennial generation in South Korea appears to harbor positive sentiments toward the current administration,” Deloitte said in a release.
Asked about the expected duration of their service at their current post, 42 percent said they will probably leave in less than two years, while 27 percent said they will stay on for at least five years.
On the most important conditions they have when deciding on a company to work for, 75 percent cited financial rewards and welfare, with 57 percent placing significance on a positive corporate culture. Of those polled, 54 percent said they want to see a more flexible labor system.
In response to key issues on their concerns, 41 percent, or the largest number, mentioned the unequal distribution of wealth, followed by a rapidly aging society with 32 percent, climate change and natural disasters with 26 percent, economic stability with 24 percent and unemployment at 22 percent, according to the report.
“The young generation in South Korea has been involved in the social, economic and political sectors more deeply than before,” Deloitte official Yang Seok-hoon said, pointing to a need for the government and companies to put forth a desirable system to swiftly respond to the voices of young people.
(Yonhap)
