Civil Servant Aspirants Plummet to Five-Year Low

Interest in local civil service positions has dramatically decreased, reaching its lowest level in half a decade. This decline raises questions about the appeal of public sector jobs and their ability to attract new talent in the current environment.

Competition Rates Dip

The competition rate for entry-level civil servant positions dropped to a five-year low. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security announced that the competition encompassed both 9th-class bonds and police written tests, occurring simultaneously across 17 cities and provinces.

A total of 13,596 openings were available this year. Approximately 11,9066 individuals applied, resulting in an average competition rate of 8.8 to 1. This marks a decrease from the previous year, which stood at 8.7 to 1, and also lower than the 10.6 to 1 rate.

“The reduced interest from young people appears to be significantly influenced by lower salaries and a rigid organizational culture, when compared to private sector firms.”

— An Official from the Ministry of Strategy and Security

The current competition rate is the lowest recorded over the past five years. Previous rates were 10.3 to 1 in 2021, 9.1 to 1 in 2022, 10.7 to 1 in 2023, and 10.4 to 1 in 2024. This trend reflects a broader issue, as according to the Brookings Institution, public sector employment growth has been slower than private sector growth in recent years (Brookings 2024).

Regional Variations

The competition rate varied by region. The highest rate was observed in Busan at 29.6 to 1, followed by Daegu at 18.1 to 1 and Gwangju at 17.7 to 1. Chungnam had the lowest rate at 5.4 to 1, followed by Chungbuk at 5.5 to 1 and Gangwon at 5.6 to 1.

Regarding recruitment groups, the administrative positions had a competition rate of 10.6 to 1, while the science and technology group saw a rate of 6.2 to 1.

Demographic Breakdown

The 20-29 age group represented the largest segment of applicants, accounting for 48.3%. The 30-39 age group followed with 37.6%, with 40-49 year-olds at 11.6%, 50-year-olds at 1.8%, and 19-year-olds at 0.6%.

Women comprised the majority, representing 56.7% of the applicants, whereas men made up 43.3%.

Test Changes

Starting this year, the exam time for both Korean and English subjects has increased from 100 to 110 minutes. This alteration reflects the shift from testing memorization to assessing field job skills in both subjects.

The lower competition rates may continue, unless steps are taken to address the factors impacting young people’s interest in government jobs.