Education Expenditures Rise to Record High

The percentage of education expenditures by urban worker households rose to a record high in the first quarter of this year.

According to the National Statistical Office on May 10, an urban worker’s household expenditure in the first quarter was 2,446,000 won monthly on average, of which 345,000 won, or 14.1%, was used for education. It is the highest since the collection of statistical data started in 1974.

The percentage of education expenditures passed 10% for the first time in 1987 (10.2%). It has fluctuated up and down for some time and has been on the rise for four consecutive years since 2004 (13.8%).

In the first quarter of this year, urban worker household expenditures on education increased by 6.1% year-on-year, while overall consumption expenditures rose by 5.4%.

The education expenditure data by category shows that 162,000 won was used for tuition, 167,000 won for additional education, and 12,000 won for textbooks.

jarrett@donga.com