One in five out-of-school teenagers has thought about suicide in the past year, data showed.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on the 26th released the results of the "2025 survey on out-of-school teenagers." Those surveyed totaled 2,811 out-of-school teenagers from out-of-school youth support centers, short-term youth shelters, juvenile correctional facilities, probation offices, and alternative education institutions, as well as out-of-school teenagers taking the qualification exam.
The most common time they left school was "in high school" at 67.2%. Middle school accounted for 22%, and elementary school 10.9%. The reasons for leaving school were "psychological or mental issues" (32.4%), "to learn what they wanted elsewhere" (25.2%), and "parents' recommendation" (22.4%), in that order.
The share who felt depression severe enough to disrupt daily life in the past two weeks was 31.1%. The share who thought about suicide in the past year was 21.1%. The share who actually attempted suicide was 7.8%. In the same period, 7.1% said they had run away from home. The main reason for running away was "conflict with a guardian" (61.4%).
Out-of-school teenagers' average monthly income was 395,000 won. The main income source was "allowances" (81%), followed by "earned income" (23.4%) and "program participation stipends" (14.5%). Their part-time work experience rate was 41.4%.
Among respondents, 40% said "they have regretted leaving school." Reasons for regret (multiple responses) included "fewer opportunities to make friends" (61.2%), "lack of diverse experiences" (55.9%), "not receiving a diploma" (34.5%), and "lack of a sense of belonging" (29.8%). As for future plans, "returning to regular school" (29.5%) and "preparing for the qualification exam" (12.4%) were reported. The share who said "they have not decided on a career path" was 31.4%.