Changes in the school-to-work transition among young South Korean adults: A cohort comparison

Abstract

This study investigates the changes in the school-to-work transition (STWT) process among South Koreans born between the 1960 s and 1980 s, focusing on the ages of 19 to 29. With high youth unemployment rates and an increase in NEETs (those not in education, employment, or training), many young people have recently struggled to secure employment after graduation. In South Korea, the delayed and unstable transitions of young people have become a significant social problem relatively recently, yet empirical evidence explaining the situation and its changes remains insufficient. Examining changes in the STWT process provides insight into how social risks have evolved during young adulthood. Utilizing data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study and applying group-based trajectory analysis, this study identifies changes in the STWT process. The high rates of NEET and unemployment currently observed in South Korea may be associated with qualitative changes in the life course. The findings reveal that transition patterns in recent cohorts have become lengthened, unstable, and non-linear. This research can serve as a foundation for developing effective welfare policies for young people experiencing prolonged and unstable STWT.