The paradox of Korea's hyper-educated workforce and declining literacy scores

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: South Korea boasts the highest rate of tertiary attainment in the OECD, yet its population faces a surprising decline in literacy. As more citizens earn degrees, average proficiency scores are dropping, revealing a complex tension between academic credentials and actual skill retention.

South Korea’s education system is defined by an extraordinary level of attainment. Among 25-34-year-olds, 71% have completed tertiary education, far exceeding the OECD average of 48%. The country has also nearly eliminated the lack of upper secondary education, with only 1% of this age group failing to reach that level—the lowest rate among all OECD and partner countries.

However, this high level of formal schooling masks significant challenges. While the nation excels in credentials, the share of master’s or doctoral graduates is remarkably low at just 3%, compared to the 17% OECD average. This focus on undergraduate degrees is accompanied by a concerning trend in literacy: between 2014 and 2023, average literacy scores for tertiary-educated adults dropped from 291 to 264 points. For those without upper secondary education, the decline was even steeper, falling from 230 to 194 points.

These shifts may be driven by the rapid increase in educational attainment itself. As more people enter the tertiary tier, the average skill level of that group may shift downward. Furthermore, while a degree provides a 31% earnings advantage over those with only upper secondary education, the employment rate for Korea's tertiary-educated young adults is only 8, whereas the OECD average is 87%. This suggests a significant portion of the highly educated population remains economically inactive.

The roots of this intense academic culture lie in Confucian values, which historically emphasized meritocracy and social mobility through examinations. While this legacy has fueled economic growth, the modern system faces immense pressure from demographic shifts, including a 40% drop in the number of children aged 0–4 between 2013 and 2023.

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