Why has spending on private education in S. Korea increased by 60% over the past decade?
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Synopsis
A striking surge in private education spending by South Korean families has been revealed, showing a remarkable 60% increase in just ten years. This trend is driven by various factors, including rising costs, increased dual-income households, and changing educational policies. Discover the implications of this growing investment in children's education.
Key Takeaways
- Private education spending in South Korea has increased by over 60% in the last decade.
- Households spent around 29.2 trillion won on education in 2024.
- The rise is fueled by greater disposable income and dual-income households.
- Elementary education spending saw the highest increase, at 74.1%.
- Private education accounted for 13.5% of family budgets by mid-2025.
Seoul, Jan 4 (NationPress) Recent government statistics reveal that South Korean households have increased their spending on private education for children by over 60 percent during the past decade. Data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), part of the Ministry of Data and Statistics, indicates that families allocated nearly 29.2 trillion won (approximately US$20.2 billion) towards private education in 2024, reflecting a 60.1 percent rise since 2014.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth in private education expenses, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
As the fees for enrolling students in hagwons (private academic institutions) have surged, families are also finding themselves with more disposable income to invest in additional lessons outside of regular school hours, contributing to this ongoing trend, according to the ministry.
The rise in the number of dual-income households has further fueled this increase in private education spending, as parents often choose to send their children to after-school hagwons during their working hours rather than leaving them home alone.
KOSIS data indicates that spending on education for elementary school students has seen the most pronounced increase, escalating from approximately 7.6 trillion won in 2014 to 13.2 trillion won in 2024, a staggering 74.1 percent rise.
In the same decade, expenses for middle school students grew by 40.7 percent to reach 7.8 trillion won, while for high school students, spending surged by 60.5 percent to 8.1 trillion won.
KOSIS reported that a family with at least two unmarried children spent an average of 611,000 won monthly on private education during the third quarter of 2025, accounting for 12.6 percent of their total monthly expenses, second only to food.
KOSIS began monitoring private education expenditures in 2019, when it comprised 11.5 percent of monthly household spending, which increased to 12.8 percent by 2024.
For the first quarter of 2025, the figure was 13 percent and reached a record high of 13.5 percent in the second quarter.
Experts suggest that frequent alterations in college admission policies and the ensuing uncertainty are compelling parents to rely more on private education.
Point of View
The growing investment in private education in South Korea reflects both the aspirations of families and the challenges within the public education system. As parents seek to provide the best opportunities for their children amidst changing educational landscapes, this trend raises critical questions about accessibility and equity in education moving forward.
NationPress
06/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason for the increase in private education spending in South Korea?
The primary reasons include rising costs of private institutions, increased disposable income among families, and a growing number of dual-income households.
How much did South Korean families spend on private education in 2024?
In 2024, South Korean families spent nearly 29.2 trillion won on private education.
What is the percentage increase in spending on elementary education?
Spending on elementary education rose by 74.1 percent over the past decade.
How has dual-income households affected education spending?
The rise in dual-income households has led to increased spending on private education, as parents often send their children to after-school programs during work hours.
What percentage of a family's budget is spent on private education?
By 2025, families were spending approximately 13.5 percent of their budget on private education.
