This year’s national civil servant grade 9 recruitment competition rate has rebounded for the first time in 9 years. This is interpreted as a result of the government’s announcement to improve treatment and eliminate bad practices within the civil service, as the number of newly appointed civil servants quitting has increased.
The Ministry of Personnel Management noted that as of 8th, a total of 105,111 people applied for this year’s national civil servant grade 9 recruitment examination. The number of positions to be selected is 4,330, with an average competition rate of 24.3 to 1. Although the number of positions to be selected has decreased compared to last year, the number of applicants increased by 1,514.
The competition rate for national civil servant grade 9 recruitment had dropped for 8 consecutive years since 2016 (53.8 to 1) before this rebound. Last year’s competition rate for national civil servant grade 9 recruitment was 21.8 to 1, the lowest in 32 years.
A Ministry of Personnel Management official said, “While there may be an impact from the recent economic downturn, it appears that interest in civil service has risen again as the government’s efforts to improve civil servant treatment continue.”
Recently, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced plans to gradually increase the starting salary of grade 9 civil servants by 2027 to improve the treatment of practical and lower-grade civil servants. This year, grade 9 civil servants earn about 2.69 million won per month, but this is set to rise to 2.84 million won next year, and to 3 million won by 2027. Additionally, housing supply for civil servants without homes will be expanded, an additional charge for civil service administrative work will be established, and overtime compensation will be strengthened.
The competition rates by job category showed that the scientific and technological sector had a rate of 22.1 to 1, while the administrative sector had a rate of 24.7 to 1. In the scientific and technological sector, the competition rate for facilities positions (landscaping) was the highest at 100 to 1, and in the administrative sector, the educational administrative position had the highest rate at 363.8 to 1.
The average age of applicants was 30.8 years, slightly higher than last year (30.4 years). The largest number of applicants was in the 20-29 age group with 53,859 people (51.2%), followed by 30-39 years with 38,638 people (36.8%), 40-49 years with 10,679 people (10.2%), and those over 50 years with 1,422 people (1.4%). The percentage of female applicants was 55.6%, slightly lower than last year (57.2%). The first round of exams for this year will take place on April 5.