[Insight & Opinion] What Policies Exist for the 'Most Stressed Generation': People in Their 40s?

A Trendy and Affluent Middle-Aged Generation
In Reality, Overwhelmed by Stress from Work and Economic Issues
Companies Face Uncertain Times, Raising Concerns for Those in Their 40s

"I'm now in my 40s. I'm what you call 'Young Forty'."

'Chungju Man' Suntae Kim said this on a TV variety show on the 18th when asked about his age by the hosts. Like Kim, people in their 40s these days maintain their youth through exceptional self-care, taste-driven consumption, and network-based communication. For this age group, the average household income reaches 93.33 million won, and they are considered major players in the cultural market. It would not be an exaggeration to call them the most trendy and affluent middle-aged generation in Korean history.

However, this generation is reportedly under tremendous stress. According to 2024 data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among all age groups, those aged 40 to 49 reported the highest rate—35.1%—of feeling "very much" or "a lot" of stress. People in their 40s are even less aware of their stress, with only 26.9% recognizing it—lower than those in their 20s. The main causes of stress are work life and economic issues. This is interpreted as being due to the fact that people in their 40s are often middle managers at work, caught between higher-ups and subordinates and judged by their performance. They no longer benefit from the seniority-based promotions and regular pay raises that characterized their early careers. Many in their 40s relate to the sighs of "Manager Song," a YouTuber who works at a large company. He recently lamented a decrease in his salary and openly discussed the stress caused by performance pressure, missed promotions, and a company atmosphere where one could be demoted back to a team member.

In recent months, the KOSPI has surpassed 5,000, showing strong performance. Yet, as the headline "Exports Fall When Semiconductors Are Excluded" suggests, many companies are still struggling in reality. With companies facing difficulties, the pressure on those in their 40s—the backbone of the workforce—has only increased. Regarding the economic challenges facing people in their 40s, some analysts argue that, considering the polarization of wealth among a few, it is more appropriate to look at the median rather than the average for their living standards. The median household income for a head of household in their 40s is 78.01 million won. With household debt at 110 million won, net assets stand at 283.84 million won, according to last year's Household Financial Welfare Survey. Ordinary people in their 40s around us are not financially comfortable. Without a regular monthly salary, it is difficult to keep their household running. At this stage of life, they are burdened by children's tuition, living expenses, caring for aging parents, loan repayments, and their own retirement planning, all at once. Work life has become tougher, yet it is difficult to talk about these hardships. The "Quality of Life for Koreans 2025" report indicated that the suicide rate among people in their 40s showed the largest increase of any age group.

Are there any policies tailored to these "record-stressed" 40-somethings? While the government's real estate policies may have good intentions, the result has been to accelerate the transition from jeonse (lump-sum lease) to monthly rent. In Seoul, from January to March this year, the share of new rental contracts on a monthly basis exceeded half, at 52.5%. For all new and renewed leases, the monthly rent share rose from last year's average of 43.2% to 47.9% for January to March this year. Furthermore, the monthly rent for Seoul apartments increased by 3.29% from January to November last year. Is this shift from jeonse to monthly rent favorable or unfavorable for a 40-year-old head of household with an annual income of 80 million won and net assets of 300 million won?

There are also concerns that the "Yellow Envelope Act," passed by the National Assembly, will shock the industrial sector. Headlines such as "Direct Hit from the Yellow Envelope Act," "453 Subcontractors Demand Negotiations in Two Days after Enforcement," and "Confusion Inevitable for the Time Being" hint at the rough road ahead for companies. One survey found that 41% of foreign companies in Korea view the government's labor policies negatively. The stress experienced by companies inevitably trickles down to the 40-somethings in corporate organizations.

Professor Heo Manseop, Kangwon National University

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