■ Necessity and importance of understanding the lives of Jeonbuk youth based on statistical data

○ (Population Status) As of 2024, 405,418 youth (aged 19-39) live in Jeonbuk State, comprising 23.1% of its total population. This marks a decrease of 75,045 (-15.6%) compared to 2015, declining faster than the national average (9.9%). The cities with the highest proportion of youth are, in descending order, Jeonju, Wanju, Iksan, and Gunsan, while Jinan, Sunchang, and Jangsu have relatively small youth populations, comprising approximately 3,000 individuals. The net youth outflow in Jeonbuk State was -7,973 (net migration rate of -2.1%), occurring mainly among those in their 20s and females. The youth population in Jeonbuk is projected to decline by 49.8% in 2050 compared to 2024.

○ (Job opportunity and economic status) The youth employment rate in 2024 was 60.8%, marking an improvement compared to 2015 but remaining below the national average of 65.3%. Among women, the employment rate (56.3%) was 8.4 percentage points lower than that among men (64.7%), demonstrating a wide gender gap. The youth unemployment rate was 3.1%, which is relatively lower than the national average, with those aged 25 to 29 years exhibiting a higher rate. The average monthly wage for youth was approximately 2.34 million won, corresponding to 86.7% of the national average (2.7 million won), with the largest proportion (47.1%) having an income between 2 million and 3 million won.

○ (Marriage and childrearing status) As of 2024, 73.7% of youth were unmarried, and the crude marriage rate was 3.7 (per 1,000 people), indicating a decline compared to 2015 (4.9). The median age for a first marriage was 33.90 and 31.16 years for males and females, respectively, indicating an upward trend. The proportion of dual-income households among first-time newlyweds was 51.6%, the home ownership rate was 48.5%, and the percentage of households with children was 62.1%. The total fertility rate was 0.92, which was higher than the national average, while the percentage of households with children exhibited a downward trend. The number of those on parental leave in 2024 (6,373 people) rose by approximately 191% compared to 2015, with males accounting for 24.6%, slightly lower than the national average. 

○ (Current status on household, housing, and social relationships) As of 2024, 56.0% lived with their parents, slightly higher than the national average of 54.4%, and 68.6% of these youth lived with a single parent. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and burnout among young women was significantly higher than that among young men, highlighting the emerging importance of mental health. The average life satisfaction rating was 6.76 (on a scale from 0 to 10), showing a slight decrease from 2022.

■ Policy implications by category regarding the lives of Jeonbuk youth

○ These statistics indicate a widespread lack of employment among youth in Jeonbuk State, reflected by various indicators of employment, income, housing, and mental health status, declining youth population, and net outflow—particularly among those in their 20s and women. These findings imply that youth policies should prioritize improving the basic conditions for young people to settle within the region, rather than focusing on short-term population inflows or expanding individual financial support. 

○ Despite some improvements in youth employment rates, the wage levels and job quality remain below the national average, and residential independence is relatively low. These findings demonstrate the insufficiency of a policy approach focused solely on employment in promoting the life stability and economic independence of the youth.

○ Indicators related to marriage and childbirth vary depending on home ownership and income, indicating complex patterns that cannot be attributed solely to a shift in individual values. These findings indicate an urgent need for policies related to family formation that consider both living and structural conditions in addition to improved awareness.

○ The prevalence of depressive symptoms and burnout among young women and youth job seekers was relatively high. This finding highlights the need for youth policies to recognize emotional stability and social relationships, as well as economic conditions, as important factors in life satisfaction.

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