A recent study in South Korea has shed light on the contrasting job preferences of the country’s youth and senior citizens. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study in South Korea has shed light on the contrasting job preferences of the country’s youth and senior citizens, revealing a generational divide in workplace priorities.
The study, conducted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute in August and involving 1,000 residents of Gyeonggi Province, has been compiled into a report titled “Perspectives on Employment Among Youth and Elderly in Gyeonggi Province,” released on December 28.
The findings indicate that salary is the paramount consideration for those in their 20s when choosing a job. Among the 168 respondents in this age group, 43.5% rated salary level as their top priority, significantly higher than the 19% who considered commuting distance and transportation accessibility most important.
For the younger generation, the greatest challenges in the workplace include dissatisfaction with treatment (35.9%), difficulties in achieving work-life balance (26.9%), high job intensity (15.4%), and struggles with interpersonal relationships (10.3%).
The respondents in their 20s also identified the wage gap between large corporations and smaller enterprises as the main reason for staffing shortages in small and medium-sized businesses, along with excessive working hours (25.6%) and demanding job requirements (12.5%).
Interestingly, the survey revealed that 22% of the youth are not currently employed and are actively seeking jobs, indicating that one in five young people in the region is wholly focused on job hunting.
Conversely, the priorities for those in their 60s differ markedly from their younger counterparts. This age group places greater emphasis on commuting convenience and job stability over salary.
Among the 165 respondents aged 60 and above, the most crucial factors in job selection were commuting distance and transportation accessibility (26.7%), job security (25.5%), and salary level (16.4%).
A notable 63.6% of the participants in their 60s expressed a desire to continue working, with the average desired retirement age reported as 70. The main motivations for continuing work include financial necessity and supplementing living expenses (35.2%), maintaining social engagement and a sense of belonging (34.5%), and the joy of working (26.1%).
The study also highlighted the challenges faced by older job seekers, such as age discrimination (42.4%), a shortage of stable job opportunities (29.7%), low salary levels (13.9%), and the prevalence of simple, repetitive tasks (12.7%).
Park Jin-ah, a researcher at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, stressed the importance of improving working conditions and benefits to attract young talent. “To expand good job opportunities for the youth, initiatives such as workations, remote working, individual performance incentives, and achieving a balance between work and life are essential,” Park said.
She also called for the expansion of job opportunities for the elderly, utilizing their experience and skills, and catering to both low-skilled and less-educated older workers.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
