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Summary

In South Korea, an increasing number of young people in their 20s and early 30s are choosing to take breaks from work and education, often opting for a period of rest at home instead. This phenomenon is driven by factors such as long working hours, mental health challenges, and the mismatch between high qualifications and limited job opportunities. Despite previous employment experience, many are disengaging from the workforce due to the lack of appealing job options and the pressure of a competitive job market. This trend poses long-term risks to South Korea's labor market and economy.

Takeaways

• 😀 More and more young South Koreans are choosing to take breaks and rest rather than work or continue their education, contributing to a rise in youth unemployment and a decline in workforce participation.
• 😀 The trend is particularly noticeable among young people who have already had work experience but are opting to take a break from seeking new employment or further studies.
• 😀 South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance reports a decline in the number of young people employed, with 61,000 fewer workers aged 20-29 in 2023-2024, partly due to youth not being involved in education, employment, or training (NEET).
• 😀 Although many young South Koreans are not actively seeking jobs, they aren't necessarily unemployed. Instead, they are opting for extended breaks to recover from stress, without clear plans for re-entering the workforce.
• 😀 The number of youth who are resting has increased significantly, with 25.4% more young people aged 25-34 opting to rest in 2024 compared to 2023.
• 😀 A major factor driving this trend is the growing dissatisfaction with the quality of available jobs, as many young people feel that the positions offered in small and medium-sized companies are subpar, with low wages and poor working conditions.
• 😀 South Korean youth with higher education face a mismatch between their qualifications and available job opportunities, leading to a lack of motivation to continue in low-paying, high-stress jobs.
• 😀 Many young South Koreans prioritize working at prestigious companies, and only 4% of youth are interested in small and medium-sized businesses, contributing to the lack of workers in that sector.
• 😀 Mental health issues, caused by academic pressure, societal expectations, and work demands, play a significant role in why many young people choose to rest instead of working.
• 😀 If this trend continues, South Korea may face a shrinking workforce, which could lead to economic instability, lower productivity, and increased pressure on the country’s social welfare system.

Q & A

Why are more young people in South Korea choosing to take a break rather than work?

Many young people in South Korea are opting to take a break from work due to stress, mental health concerns, and a lack of appealing job opportunities. The job market is highly competitive, and many feel that available positions don't align with their expectations for salary, benefits, and work-life balance.

What is the difference between unemployment and the 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training' (NEET) category in South Korea?

Unemployment refers to individuals actively seeking work but unable to find a job, while NEET encompasses those who are neither working nor pursuing education or training, whether or not they are seeking employment. NEET includes a broader group of young people who have disengaged from both the workforce and further education.

What does the term 'resting generation' in South Korea refer to?

The 'resting generation' refers to a growing group of young people in South Korea who choose to stay at home and rest rather than work or pursue further education, often due to dissatisfaction with job opportunities or mental health struggles.

How significant is the increase in the number of young people taking breaks from work in South Korea?

The number of young people in South Korea taking breaks from work has significantly increased, with a reported 25.4% rise between 2023 and 2024, amounting to about 422,000 young individuals between the ages of 25 to 34 opting for rest instead of work.

What are some of the reasons young people in South Korea choose to rest instead of pursuing jobs?

Some reasons include dissatisfaction with the low quality of available jobs, the stress of high academic expectations, long working hours, and the lack of job opportunities that meet their educational qualifications or desired salary levels. Many young people are also prioritizing their mental health.

Why are young South Koreans often reluctant to work in small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Young people in South Korea often view working in SMEs as undesirable because these jobs typically offer lower salaries, fewer benefits, and less job stability compared to large corporations. They also believe that working in SMEs could hurt their resume and hinder their chances of securing a job at a more prestigious company.

How do societal expectations affect young people’s career choices in South Korea?

In South Korea, societal expectations are high, with a significant emphasis on education and working for well-known companies. This creates pressure for young people to pursue prestigious careers, which can lead to disappointment and stress when those opportunities don't materialize, often resulting in young people opting to rest instead of working in less prestigious roles.

What impact is the trend of 'resting' young people having on South Korea's economy?

The trend of young people choosing to rest rather than work has potential long-term effects on South Korea's economy, including reduced productivity, a shrinking labor force, and increased pressure on the country's social welfare system. This trend could exacerbate the already growing demographic challenges in South Korea as the population ages.

What are the primary factors contributing to mental health issues among young people in South Korea?

The primary factors include the intense academic pressure, high competition in the job market, long working hours, and the growing gap between the skills young people acquire and the quality of jobs available. These factors often lead to feelings of stress, burnout, and depression among young people.

What actions is the South Korean government taking to address the issue of young people not working?

The South Korean government is implementing various initiatives such as job services, policies for youth-friendly workplaces, and programs aimed at reintegrating isolated youth into the workforce. However, experts suggest that more fundamental reforms, including labor market reforms, mental health support, and improving job opportunities for non-prestigious university graduates, are needed.