Number of Civil Service Exam Candidates Increases by 32% in One Year
This year, for the first time in five years, the number of national civil servant positions available is on the rise, leading to an increase in the number of candidates preparing for the civil service exam. Analysts note that the expansion of recruitment, salary increases, and a slowdown in the private employment market are all contributing to a growing preference for public sector jobs.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Personnel Management, the total number of national civil servant positions to be filled through open recruitment in 2026 has been set at 5,351. The number of national civil servant positions had been steadily declining, from 6,819 in 2022 to 6,396 in 2023, 5,751 in 2024, and 5,272 last year. However, this year, the trend has reversed, and the number is increasing again. This shift, coming after a period of recruitment reductions, is causing a sensitive reaction in the exam preparation market.
Improved working conditions are also cited as a factor stimulating demand for civil service exam preparation. The government has decided to raise civil servant salaries by 3.5% in 2026 compared to the previous year, with an additional increase for entry-level positions in grades 7 to 9, resulting in a total increase of 6.6%. As a result, the starting annual salary for a grade 9 civil servant (step 1) will be 34.28 million won, or 2.86 million won per month, and is expected to rise to around 3 million won per month by 2027.
Meanwhile, the private employment market remains challenging. As corporate recruitment slows, dissatisfaction with the wages and working conditions of first jobs is widespread. As many as 68% of respondents said their first monthly salary was less than 2 million won, and the most common reason for leaving their first job was dissatisfaction with pay and working hours, as well as other working conditions.
The growing enthusiasm for the civil service exam had already become apparent last year. The average competition ratio for the 2025 national grade 9 open competitive civil service exam rebounded to 24.3 to 1, the first increase in nine years. The number of cumulative members on online civil service exam preparation platforms also grew by more than 30% in a single year, indicating an expansion in the pool of exam candidates.
There have also been changes in the age of successful candidates. Last year, the average age of those who passed the grade 7 open recruitment exam was 28.2. Since the minimum age for applicants was lowered to 18, a 19-year-old passed for the first time. The grade 7 exam, known for its difficulty and traditionally attracting older candidates, is now seeing more young people participating. Experts explain that as the exam structure has shifted to focus more on job-related skills and the elective subject system has changed, exam strategies and preparation methods are also evolving.
In response, Gongdangi, the civil service exam prep provider with the largest market share, held a civil service exam briefing last December. More than 5,000 people registered, and sales of lecture packages increased by about 66% compared to the same period last year. Industry insiders interpret this as a sign that demand for civil service exam preparation is on the rise again.
With more candidates entering the market, Gongdangi is temporarily offering its all-in-one learning package, the "Lifetime Free Pass," which provides unlimited access to all courses. The study period is extended until candidates pass the exam, and the package is available for purchase until the 22nd of this month. A notable feature is that 100% of the tuition fee is refunded upon passing, reducing the financial burden for students.
With the combination of expanded recruitment, improved working conditions, and an uncertain employment environment, the civil service exam is once again emerging as a major career choice. Observers are watching closely to see how these trends will affect competition ratios and exam strategies in the future.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
