1.41 Million Youths' First Jobs Are Contract Positions... Highest Since Statistics Began

Statistics Korea Survey, 806,000 in 2008 → 1,407,000 in 2022
36.6% Received Monthly Salary Between 1.5 Million and 2 Million Won at First Job

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] It has been revealed that the quality of the first jobs young people get after graduation is deteriorating. This year, 1.41 million young people found their first-ever job as contract workers, an increase of about 75% compared to 2008.

According to the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS) of Statistics Korea on the 26th, among young people aged 15 to 29 with employment experience, the number of those whose first-ever job was a contract position was 1,407,000 as of the survey in May this year.

This is the highest figure since the related survey began in 2008, with 601,000 (74.6%) more young people starting their careers as contract workers this year compared to 806,000 in 2008.

The number of young people who found their first job as part-time workers (852,000) also increased by 202,000 (31.1%) compared to 2008, setting a new record.

The proportion of short-term workers among young people also rose significantly compared to September last year (26.9%). Among the 3,967,000 employed young people in September this year, 2,485,000 (62.6%), more than six out of ten, were short-term workers working less than 36 hours. Those who had indefinite contract periods but actually held temporary jobs were also counted at 384,000.

On the other hand, the number of young people who found their first job in positions without a fixed contract period and with the possibility of continuous employment was 2,227,000, a decrease of 23.2% compared to 2,898,000 in 2008.

Among employed young people, 67.9% earned less than 2 million KRW as their first monthly salary. The most common first monthly salary range was between 1.5 million and less than 2 million KRW (36.6%). Those earning between 2 million and less than 3 million KRW accounted for 28.4%, while only 3.7% earned 3 million KRW or more as their first salary.

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