‘More than two-thirds of young Korean adults rely on parents’

By Yi Whan-woo

Kim Young-joon, 30, is caught in a cycle of bickering with his parents due to unemployment and financial insecurity despite holding a master’s degree. He represents the “kangaroo tribe,” a term used for two-thirds of South Koreans aged 25 to 34 who are economically dependent on their parents.

The issue of economic dependency among young adults has grown in South Korea, with 66% of those aged 25 to 34 belonging to this group in 2020, up from previous years.

A study by the Korea Employment Information Service reveals that unemployed individuals made up 47.4% of the “kangaroo tribe” in 2012, increasing to 66% in 2020.

An expert warns that the situation could strain households and the economy. Solutions include parents stopping financial support to encourage self-sufficiency among adult children.

As South Korea faces an aging population, grandparents are increasingly involved in childcare and financial support, indicating a shifting societal dynamic.