An emerging trend among young South Koreans is drawing attention to its implications for the economy and society. A growing segment of the youth population, classified as NEET (neither in education, employment, nor training), is neither engaged in the job market nor in educational pursuits.

As of Oct. 2023, South Korea’s NEET population has risen to over 410,000, making up about 4.9% of the nation’s 15 to 29-year-old demographic group. This group is often overlooked in traditional unemployment statistics, which count only those actively seeking work.

The increase in NEETs poses a significant economic concern. A 2021 report by