A study has found that the language, numeracy skills, and adaptive problem-solving skills of South Korean adults are below the average of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries. This result is based on individuals aged 16 to 65. When limited to the youth (aged 16 to 24), the results are at an average OECD level. However, in the previous study, Korean youth were at the top level.
Additionally, it was found that Korean adults have higher levels of overeducation and appropriate skills than the OECD average. This means that while many Korean adults possess higher final educational attainment than their jobs require, their work performance skills are appropriately matched.
◇ South Korean adults below OECD average in language and numeracy... youth at average level
The OECD announced the results of the 'Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) 2024' on the 10th.
PIAAC assesses the language proficiency, numeracy, and adaptive problem-solving skills of adults aged 16 to 65 in 31 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Japan, and Germany. The survey aims to determine the level of skills applied in daily and workplace life and is conducted every 10 years. In this survey, 6,198 people from South Korea participated.
According to the results announced that day, the average language proficiency of South Korean adults was 249 points, lower than the OECD average of 260 points. South Korean adults' language ability was similar to that of Spain, Hungary, and Latvia. The average numeracy score was 253 points, which is also below the OECD average of 263 points and similar to that of Croatia, Hungary, and New Zealand.
Adaptive problem-solving ability also scored 238 points, below the OECD average of 251 points, similar to levels in Croatia and Israel. Adaptive problem-solving assesses one's ability to achieve personal goals in situations where solutions are not immediately provided. For example, a problem in the test might involve finding a way to reach a destination when the usual routes, such as A, B, or C, are altered.
Focusing on the youth aged 16 to 24, the scores were at the OECD average level. The language proficiency of Korean youth was 276 points, and numeracy was 273 points. The OECD youth average was 273 points for language proficiency and 272 points for numeracy.
Compared to the 2013 results, both language proficiency and numeracy have declined. Language skills dropped by 24 points from the previous survey, and numeracy fell by 10 points. However, regarding the decline in numeracy, the OECD noted that "the score difference is too small to be statistically significant." A representative from the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training said, "Although the scores have decreased compared to last time, they are at a similar level."
In the previous survey, the youth also ranked in the top tier with both language proficiency and numeracy scores above the OECD average. At that time, their language proficiency was 13 points higher and numeracy was 10 points above the OECD average.
Adaptive problem-solving skills were not included in the previous survey. Past surveys assessed computer-based problem-solving skills, which evaluate the ability to utilize digital technology and communication tools within a given time frame.
◇ Overeducation exceeds OECD average... work competency is suitable
The study on educational mismatch among South Korean adults found that aside from overeducation, the overall situation was good. The percentage of adults whose educational level was below what was required by their jobs was 3.7%, lower than the OECD average of 9.5%. Those who had the appropriate educational level stood at 65%, similar to the OECD average of 67.2%.
On the other hand, overeducation, meaning having higher education than what is required in current jobs, was recorded at 31.3%, higher than the OECD average of 23.4%. This indicates an increase in overeducation compared to the previous survey.
In the previous survey, the overeducation rate for South Korean adults was 21.2%, similar to the OECD average of 21.4%. At that time, the rate of undereducation was 10.7%, lower than the OECD average of 12.9%.
The skill mismatch evaluation category, which assesses whether employees possess suitable competencies for their jobs, was found to be at the OECD average level. Skills underutilization was slightly lower at 23.9%, compared to the OECD average of 26.1%. The appropriate skills rate was 65.1%, and the skills shortage was 11%. Compared to the OECD average, appropriate skills were higher by 0.8 percentage points, and the skills shortage was higher by 1.4 percentage points.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "In rapidly changing social environments, such as the digital transformation, we will expand tailored lifelong learning and vocational training programs," and noted, "We will collaborate with relevant ministries to ensure that all citizens can participate in lifelong learning and workforce development."