Competition on civil service exam falls as public service loses its luster

Becoming a grade 5 civil servant or diplomat through the civil service exam, or gosi, was once regarded as the noblest of achievements. However, among younger Koreans, the career path has lost its luster.

Applicants head to a testing site to take the first round of exams to become grade 5 civil servants or diplomats in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, last Match. [THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT / NEWS1]

Becoming a grade 5 civil servant or diplomat through the civil service exam, or gosi, was once regarded as the noblest of achievements.

However, among younger Koreans, the career path has lost its luster.

According to the Ministry of Personnel Management on Tuesday, the average competition rate on this year's gosi for grade 5 civil servants and diplomats is 35.1 to one, with 12,198 applicants testing for 348 jobs.

Last year's competition rate was slightly higher at 35.3 to one, with 158 more applicants.

Competition on the gosi hit a record low of 34 to one in 2020 before spiking to 43.3 to one the following year. However, competition rates have been falling since.

“Fewer people are applying to work in the public sector because the population is falling and public official jobs are less popular than they were in the past,” said Jung Kwang-ho, a professor from Seoul National University.

The competition for grade 5’s administrative positions is 39.3 to one, while that of technical positions is 24.7 to one. The competition for the foreign service officials is 35.5 to one.

Officials from the Ministry of Personnel Management check the interview testing site for candidates aspiring to become grade 5 public officials or foreign service workers in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, in October last year. [THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT / YONHAP]

Compared to last year, applicants for administrative positions decreased by 397 people.

In contrast, the number of applicants for technical positions increased by 225, while applicants for foreign service jobs increased by 14.

The most competitive position — two vacancies for prosecutors — has 261 applicants, a competition rate of 130.5 to one.

Administrative positions in Jeju and science and engineering positions in Daegu had the lowest competition rates at 17 to one and six to one, respectively.

This year, 718 people applied for digital and communications jobs, outnumbering the previous year’s 468.

“The trend reflects people’s increasing interest in the IT and digital sector,” the ministry added.

Moreover, the average age of test takers increased slightly from 28.7 last year to 29.1 this year.

Test-takers in their 20s make up 64.6 percent of all test-takers. Those aged between 30 and 39 account for 27.7 percent. Applicants in their 40s make up 6.7 percent.

The first round of exams will take place in early March, and successful candidates will be nominated in April.

BY LEE SOO-KI [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]