South Korean youth prioritize wages and working conditions in job searches

A survey conducted by the Korea Federation of SMEs reveals that 64.7% of young people aged 19 to 39 consider wage levels the most important factor when choosing a job. Other significant considerations include working hours (51.9%) and job security (50.9%).

Notably, 56.5% of respondents prioritize actual working conditions—such as pay, environment, and growth potential—over the size of the company. While many avoid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to poor working environments (52.3%) and low wages (49.8%), 55.3% expressed willingness to work at non-metropolitan SMEs if conditions are met. For those considering regional employment, housing support (55.2%) was cited as a more critical requirement than competitive wages (47.5%).

The report also highlights challenges in the current labor market, with 46.6% of youth feeling that job opportunities have decreased compared to last year. Common obstacles include the requirement for practical experience even for entry-level positions (52.0%) and the rise of recruitment focused on experienced workers (48.7%).