Seoul Middle-Aged and Older Adults Say "Job Support Policies Are Most Needed"

50 Plus Foundation Surveys 5,266 People Aged 40-69
Demand for Closing Digital Gap Increases from 50s Onward

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A survey revealed that middle-aged and older adults aged 40 to 69 in Seoul consider 'job support policies' to be the most necessary policies.

The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation announced on the 19th that it conducted the 'Seoul Middle-aged and Older Adult Support Policy Demand Survey' twice, from September 26 to October 2 and from October 24 to November 4 last year, targeting 5,266 citizens aged 40 to 69. The survey subjects were middle-aged and older adults who are either Seoul residents or have workplaces in Seoul.

Priority of Support Policy Demands for Middle-aged and Older Adults in Seoul. [Image Source=Seoul 50 Plus Foundation]

▲Digital divide resolution▲Social contribution▲Jobs▲Education and training▲Retirement preparation▲Companionship with the vulnerable?regarding citizens' demands in these six areas of support for middle-aged and older adults in Seoul, the demand for 'jobs' scored the highest at 87.8 points (out of 100). Next were digital divide resolution at 86.0 points, education and training at 85.3 points, retirement preparation at 83.7 points, companionship with the vulnerable at 83.3 points, and social contribution at 81.2 points.

In particular, 'jobs' was identified as the most important policy demand across all age groups. The demand for digital divide resolution ranked low (5th place) among those in their 40s but jumped to 2nd place from the 50s onward.

Those in their 40s ranked 'companionship with the vulnerable' as the second priority after jobs, but as age increased, companionship with the vulnerable shifted to the lowest priority. People in their 40s ranked retirement preparation third and education and training fourth, whereas those in their 50s and early 60s reversed these priorities, placing education and training third and retirement preparation fourth.

The foundation commented on the increasing demand for digital divide resolution and education and training from the early 50s onward in this survey, stating that it "reflects the reality of middle-aged adults facing retirement unprepared in their late 40s." According to the Statistics Korea Economically Active Population Survey, the average retirement age from main jobs is 49.3 years. The foundation further interpreted, "Most middle-aged adults retiring from their main jobs after age 49 are unable to maintain their accumulated careers and take lower-level jobs, reflecting their desire to find new jobs through improving digital skills and education and training."

Among detailed support policies for middle-aged and older adults in Seoul, the top priority items were 'Expansion of public jobs for middle-aged and older adults' (jobs), 'Support for employment in private sector jobs for middle-aged and older adults' (jobs), 'Strengthening services linking work and activities for retirement preparation' (retirement preparation), and 'Enhancing one-stop support connecting counseling, education, and jobs for middle-aged and older adults' (jobs).