Under-30s Sweep the Market... Metropolitan Area Apartment Subscription Winners Hit Record 59%

6 Out of 10 Metropolitan Area Winners Are Aged 30 or Younger
Subscription System Reforms in Recent Years Favor the 2030 Generation
"Youth Housing Dream Subscription Savings Account" Launch Accelerates Young People's Entry into the Market
Regional Areas Remain Tepid... Metropolitan Area Concentration Mirrors Sales Market Trends

This year, the proportion of winners aged 30 and under in the metropolitan area apartment subscription market is nearing 60%, marking an all-time high. Analysts attribute this acceleration in the influx of the 2030 generation to a combination of institutional changes, including the expansion of special supply, the revision of the lottery system, and the launch of customized subscription savings accounts for young people.

The proportion of winners aged 30 and under in the metropolitan area subscription market is recording an all-time high. Photo of an apartment in Seoul city. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the “Regional Subscription Winner Information” released by the Korea Real Estate Board on June 26, among the 8,890 winners of apartment subscriptions in the Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi metropolitan area between January and April this year, 5,272 were aged 30 and under, accounting for 59.3% of the total. This was followed by those in their 40s (23.6%), 50s (11.9%), and those aged 60 and over (5.2%).

The proportion of winners aged 30 and under has been gradually rising, from 52.6% in 2020 to 55.8% last year. With a sharper increase this year, it is highly likely that the annual figure will set a new record since statistics began in 2020.

In recent years, revisions to the subscription system have favored the 2030 generation, resulting in a higher proportion of winners from this age group. Since 2023, 60% of supply for units of 85 square meters or less, and 100% of supply for units over 85 square meters, have been allocated by lottery, significantly increasing the chances of winning for applicants aged 30 and under with lower scores. The proportion of special supply, including for newlyweds, first-time homebuyers, and newborns, has also continued to expand.

Crucially, the launch of the “Youth Housing Dream Subscription Savings Account” in February has further encouraged participation in the subscription market. Applicants can deposit up to 1 million won per month, receive an annual interest rate of 4.5%, and, if selected, access a dedicated loan product offering up to 80% of the sale price at an interest rate in the 2% range. Additional tax benefits include a 40% income deduction on deposits and tax exemption on up to 5 million won in interest income.

The 2030 generation is also considered the most active age group in purchasing apartments in the general sales market. Between January and April this year, those aged 30 and under accounted for 32.5% of apartment transactions in the metropolitan area, surpassing those in their 40s (28.4%) and 50s (19.3%). This trend indicates that this generation is gaining dominance in both the subscription and sales markets.

In contrast, the proportion of the 2030 generation in the regional subscription market remains relatively low. Between January and April, those aged 30 and under accounted for 47.8% of apartment subscription winners in regional areas, falling short of the majority and more than 10 percentage points lower than in the metropolitan area.

Park Jimin, head of Wolyong Subscription Research Institute, explained, “In regional areas, there is a perception that subscription is less attractive because sale prices often lack appeal compared to surrounding market prices. In contrast, the metropolitan area has many developments, especially those subject to price caps, where both real residence and asset appreciation can be expected, leading to more active participation by younger generations.” He added, “The number of buyers aged 30 and under who seek to secure a residential base through subscriptions and grow their asset value over the medium to long term is increasing rapidly.”