Jeju Island, Facing Population Exodus Crisis, Intensifies Youth Job Creation Efforts
Once known for its 'living in Jeju' craze that resulted in a surge in population, Jeju is now facing a new challenge of population decline.
In particular, the large-scale exodus of the youth demographic has prompted Jeju authorities to implement various policies aimed at preventing population outflow through the creation of quality jobs.
According to the data released by the Statistics Korea Jeju Office on the 8th, the net outflow of the population in the Jeju region for the first quarter of this year was recorded at 2,165 individuals. This represents an increase of 487 from the same period last year (1,678 individuals). Notably, about 83% of the total net outflow population comprises teenagers and individuals in their 20s and 30s.
Jeju's trend has shifted from 'living in Jeju' to youth exodus.
Since 2009, Jeju experienced a consistent population growth trend. In 2014, the net influx of the population surpassed 10,000, reaching an all-time high of 14,632 in 2016.
During this time, the trend of 'living in Jeju' had taken hold nationwide.
However, starting in 2017, the growth trend began to decline, and by 2023, Jeju had transitioned to a net outflow region, where outmigration exceeds immigration.
Last year, 3,361 individuals left Jeju, marking the largest population outflow since 1986. The exodus of the youth demographic has been particularly pronounced.
Among the net outflow population from Jeju last year, individuals in their 20s represented over half, and even in the first quarter of this year, the 20s demographic accounted for 47.1% of the 2,165 individuals who left.
The Bank of Korea analyzed in its June 2023 report titled 'Analysis of Net Outflow of Youth Population in Jeju' that “poor working conditions such as low wages, high living costs, housing expense burdens, and the recession in self-employment appear to have influenced the outflow of the youth demographic.”
Strengthening Job Policies for Youth Settlement
Feeling a sense of urgency, Jeju held a 'Job Innovation Committee Meeting' on the 7th of this month to discuss youth job measures.
The main agenda included:
– Expanding new projects related to youth work experience
– Discovering job projects in collaboration with national institutions
– Expanding quality job opportunities for vulnerable groups in employment
– Easing criteria for job support programs aimed at companies hiring youth
– Expanding support projects to improve the working environment for youth
Jeju aims to create 6,388 jobs and urgently generate 1,649 jobs in vulnerable employment sectors, as well as address job mismatches, all under the goal of early stabilization of the job market this year through tailored job measures.
A Jeju official explained, “Due to prolonged economic recession, the number of employed in wholesale, accommodation, restaurant, and construction sectors is decreasing, and the continuous decline in youth employment has exacerbated quantitative mismatches due to job shortages. To prevent the youth demographic's departure from the labor market, we are focusing on complementing regular positions and supporting youth in expanding work experience and settling in the region.”
Additionally, to promote the expansion of quality job opportunities, Jeju is implementing a policy to support companies in future industries—such as aerospace, green hydrogen, future mobility, eco-friendly energy, robotics, big data and artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and networks, biotechnology, and food technology—by providing 1.2 million won per month for hiring youth, and 2.2 million won per month for hiring specialized technical personnel for a period of one year.
Image source: Reference material photo for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank. On the 7th, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province held the 'Job Innovation Committee' meeting to discuss youth job measures / Provided by Jeju Province.
