76% of Korean Unemployed Youth Feel “Good Jobs Are Scarce” as Minimum Salary Expectations Hit 34.7 Million Won

76% of Korean Unemployed Youth Feel "Good Jobs Are Scarce" as Minimum Salary Expectations Hit 34.7 Million Won

The job market blues continue to plague South Korea’s young adults, with over three-quarters expressing deep pessimism about their employment prospects. Can the economy deliver the stability and compensation this generation desperately seeks, or is a major expectation adjustment on the horizon?

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Perception Crisis: The “Good Jobs” Drought

The vast majority of unemployed Korean youth believe quality employment opportunities are severely limited in today’s job market.

A staggering 76.4% of unemployed youth surveyed believe quality jobs are scarce, according to a recent survey by the Korea Economic Association
One-third (33.8%) responded that good jobs are “very scarce,” while 42.6% said they are “generally scarce”
Only 21.2% of respondents considered the job market situation to be “average,” highlighting widespread pessimism

What Makes a “Good Job”? It’s Not Just About Money

While salary tops the list, unemployed youth are evaluating potential employers across multiple dimensions.

Salary level was cited as the most important factor (31.8%) in defining a quality job
Job security followed at 17.9%, reflecting ongoing concerns about long-term stability
Work-life balance ranked a close third at 17.4%, demonstrating the shifting priorities of the younger generation
Workplace culture was mentioned by 7.3%, showing organizational environment matters to job seekers

Roadblocks to Employment: Experience Paradox and Qualification Inflation

Structural barriers continue to thwart entry-level job seekers in Korea’s competitive market.

30% of job-seeking youth cited the scarcity of quality jobs as their biggest challenge
The experience catch-22 continues, with 20.4% pointing to the market’s preference for experienced professionals
Nearly one in five (19.6%) struggle with employers’ excessive qualification requirements
These barriers create a challenging landscape for first-time job seekers trying to enter the workforce

The Sidelines Phenomenon: Why Some Youth Aren’t Even Looking

A significant portion of unemployed youth are choosing to postpone their job search entirely.

19.6% are focusing on acquiring certifications or preparing for exams rather than actively job hunting
17.3% cite the lack of suitable jobs as their reason for not engaging in the job market
Another 16.5% are taking a deliberate break period before pursuing employment
This trend suggests a strategic waiting approach rather than immediate job market entry

Salary Expectations: The 34.68 Million Won Threshold

Unemployed Korean youth have set clear financial expectations for their future employers.

The average minimum desired pre-tax annual salary stands at 34.68 million won (approximately $25,800 at current exchange rates)
The largest segment (39.2%) expects salaries between 30-40 million won
22.6% would accept positions offering 25-30 million won
20.2% would consider roles with salaries below 25 million won

The Psychological Toll of Unemployment

Beyond financial constraints, joblessness is creating significant emotional and psychological challenges.

Career uncertainty was the top concern for 24.4% of unemployed youth
Psychological instability affected 21.2% of respondents
Financial burden was cited by 17.2% as a major challenge
Self-esteem issues troubled 16.6% of those surveyed

The life satisfaction score among unemployed youth averaged just 3.86 out of 10, dramatically lower than the 6.7 average reported among the general youth population. This stark contrast underscores the profound impact employment status has on overall wellbeing. As Korean companies continue to reduce new hiring, experts emphasize the need for fostering new industries and regulatory reform to revitalize business dynamism and create the quality jobs this generation so desperately seeks.