The Competition Rate for Grade 9 Civil Servants Hits 'Lowest' in 21 Years... Average Age of Written Exam Passers 29.3 Years

Competition Ratio 22.5 to 1
Female Pass Rate 51.2%

In 2018, examinees were coming out after completing the Level 9 civil service written exam at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] This year, the competition rate for the Level 9 National Civil Service open competitive recruitment (public exam) written test dropped to the lowest level in 21 years.

According to the results of the "2022 Level 9 National Civil Service Public Exam Written Test" announced by the Ministry of Personnel Management on the 10th, there were 127,643 applicants for this exam, which selects 5,672 candidates.

The competition rate based on the number of applicants was 22.5 to 1, the lowest in 21 years since 2001 (19.7 to 1). The competition rate, which soared to 68.7 to 1 in 2011, has since declined, recording 30.9 to 1 in 2019, 26.3 to 1 in 2020, and 27.6 to 1 in 2021.

The successful candidates of this year’s written test held on the 2nd of last month totaled 7,456, including 6,527 administrative positions and 929 technical positions.

Female successful candidates in the written test accounted for 51.2% of the total, numbering 3,820. The proportion of female successful candidates was 56.5% in 2019, 49.9% in 2020, and 53.6% in 2021.

The average age of successful candidates in the written test was 29.3 years, slightly higher than last year’s 28.8 years. The largest age group was 20-29 years old with 4,745 candidates (63.6%), followed by 30-39 years old (29.3%). Candidates aged 50 and above numbered 64 (0.9%). There was also one successful candidate in their teens.

Meanwhile, the interviews for the Level 9 National Civil Service public exam will be conducted for one week starting June 11. Registration for withdrawal from the interview will be held for two days from May 11.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.