45% of Young Women and 31% of Men "Feel Depression and Helplessness Due to COVID-19"

by Han Jinjoo

Published 08 Mar.2021 15:13(KST)

44% of Youth Experienced Reduced Income and Working Hours Due to COVID-19

According to a research team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the risk of developing depression increases with longer SNS usage time and more frequent access. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Due to COVID-19, 5 out of 10 young women and 3 out of 10 young men frequently experience feelings of depression and helplessness.

On the 8th, the Korean Women's Development Institute released part of the results from the "Gender-Sensitive Analysis and Future Prospects Study on the Life Course of Youth," conducted from May to December last year, surveying 6,570 men and women aged 19 to 34.

The COVID-19 situation negatively affected young people's lives overall, including economic, social, and psychological aspects. Regarding the frequency of feeling depressed, helpless, or hopeless, 45.7% of women and 31.4% of men responded that they "often feel" these emotions.

Among those who felt that "making a living has become hopeless" due to COVID-19, 32.6% were women and 32.2% were men. The percentage of women who reported that their income and working hours decreased compared to before COVID-19 was 44.5%, while for men it was 43.5%.

On the afternoon of the 9th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will hold the "20s and 30s Young Women’s Work and Life Meeting" at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Minister Jeong Young-ae, to discuss measures to overcome career interruptions among young women.

Six young women active in fields such as information and communication technology (IT), culture and arts, service industry, and startups will attend the meeting to share difficulties they face due to unemployment, caregiving interruptions, and career breaks.