The number of young adults preparing for job-related exams exceeds 1.05 million in 2018, out of whom 410,000, or 38.8%, are preparing for civil servant exams.
The figure for civil servant exams has grown faster than other groups, showing an annual average increase of 6.0% between 2012 and 2018. The growth in the number of those preparing for state-run and private company exams stands at 3.9% and 2.4%, respectively. In contrast, this figure has declined by 3.6% for both professional certifications and other exams.
Among young male adults preparing for job-related exams, the largest number took private company exams in 2012 and civil servant exams in 2018. For their female counterparts, the greatest number took professional qualifications and others in 2012 and civil servant exams in 2018.
Among those aged 20 to 24, the largest number took professional qualifications and other exams, at 162,000, or 38.9%, in 2012. However, in year 2018, civil servant exam preparers account for the biggest proportion among them at 159,000, or 35.4%.
Approximately half of unemployed college graduates are preparing for job-related exams, and the figure for unemployed junior college graduates has risen sharply in recent years.
*The full-text is available in Korean only.