This year's average competition rate for the Grade 5 national civil service open recruitment and the diplomat candidate selection exam was tallied at 31.2 to 1.
According to the Ministry of Personnel Management on the 24th, applications received for the Grade 5 open recruitment and diplomat selection from the 19th to the 23rd totaled 11,903 applicants for 381 openings, recording an average competition rate of 31.2 to 1.
This is slightly lower than last year's 34.6 to 1. The Ministry of Personnel Management said it was due to the number of openings increasing by 34 from last year.
By job group, the competition rates were 32.5 to 1 for Grade 5 administrative positions (243 openings), 25.4 to 1 for Grade 5 science and technology positions (98 openings), and 37.6 to 1 for diplomat candidates (40 openings).
By detailed recruitment unit, in the administrative track, correctional positions had the highest rate at 182 to 1, while in the science and technology track, disaster prevention and safety positions were highest at 55 to 1.
The average age of applicants was 29.0, similar to last year's 29.3. By age group, those 20–29 numbered 7,603 (63.9%), followed by 30–39 at 3,292 (27.7%), 40–49 at 846 (7.1%), 50 and older at 149 (1.2%), and under 20 at 13 (0.1%). Women made up 46.1% of applicants, similar to last year's 45.8%.
The first-round exam for the Grade 5 open recruitment and diplomat selection will be held on Mar. 7 in five regions nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and Daejeon.
The first-round passers will be released on Apr. 10 via the National Civil Service Recruitment System website.