This file photo, taken April 12, 2021, shows jobseekers receiving employment consultation at a job arrangement center in eastern Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Contrary to the declining number of Koreans in their 20s and job recruits, caused by the low birthrate and an aging society, there is an increasing trend among young South Koreans to refuse engagement in job-seeking activities.
There were 6.15 million people in their 20s in the country as of last month, marking a decrease of 196,000 from the previous year and continuing a 22-month decline, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
Last month, the number of new hires in their 20s dropped by 63,000 people compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 3.83 million.
Likewise, the number of employees who had been laid off decreased to 241,000 people, a decline of 67,000 from the previous year.
In contrast, the number of individuals in their 20s who reported ‘not engaging in any economic activities’ reached 357,000 people last month, representing an increase of 36,000 people compared to the previous year.
As the country’s overall population is shrinking, the percentage of people refraining from job-seeking activities in their 20s increased, surpassing both those preparing to look for work (331,000 people) and those attending academies for employment (113,000 people).
When asked about the reasons for not looking for a job, a majority of 173,000 people stated that they believed there were no available job positions that matched their preferred salary or working conditions.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
