📚 South Korea’s Education Crisis: Less Students More Tutoring Costs 📉

South Korea education crisis: less students more tutoring costs

South Korea is facing an education paradox—even as the number of students declines, spending on private tutoring (hagwons) continues to soar. In 2023, total private education expenditures for elementary, middle, and high school students reached 29.2 trillion won ($21.9 billion USD), marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking spending.

💰 Soaring Costs of Private Education in South Korea

Despite a decline of 80,000 students compared to the previous year, total private education costs rose by 2.1 trillion won (7.7%). The trend has been consistent over the past few years:

2021: 23.4 trillion won
2022: 26 trillion won
2023: 29.2 trillion won

Parents are spending more than ever on their children’s education, with the average monthly tutoring cost per student reaching 474,000 won ($355 USD)—a 9.3% increase from the previous year:

Elementary school: 442,000 won ($330 USD) (+11.1%)
Middle school: 490,000 won ($368 USD) (+9.0%)
High school: 520,000 won ($390 USD) (+5.8%)

For students actively participating in private tutoring, the costs soar even higher, averaging 592,000 won ($445 USD) per month. The percentage of students enrolled in hagwons (private academies) also hit a record high at 80%, with the highest participation among elementary students:

Elementary school: 87.7% (+1.7%)
Middle school: 78% (+2.7%)
High school: 67.3% (+0.9%)

On average, students spend 7.8 hours per week on private tutoring, with high schoolers averaging 6.9 hours.

👶 Private Education Costs for Preschoolers Are Also Rising

Private education is no longer just for school-aged children. In 2023, nearly 50% of children aged 2 to 5 were enrolled in private learning programs, with parents spending an average of 332,000 won ($250 USD) per month.

2-year-olds: 24.6% participation
3-year-olds: 50.3% participation
5-year-olds: 81.2% participation

Among early childhood education programs, English kindergartens (영어유치원) are the most expensive, with tuition costs reaching:

English kindergarten: 1.54 million won ($1,150 USD) per month
Montessori programs: 1.16 million won ($870 USD)
Art classes: 783,000 won ($580 USD)
Sports programs: 767,000 won ($570 USD)

7-years-old exam in South Korea (7세 고시)

🎓 Academic Competition Starts in Preschool

With South Korea’s intense education culture, entrance exams are no longer just for college. Young children now face high-stakes admissions tests for elite kindergartens and elementary schools.

"4세 고시" (4-Year-Old Exam): Tests required for admission into prestigious English kindergartens.
"7세 고시" (7-Year-Old Exam): Standardized tests for top-tier math and English academies before entering elementary school.
Medical school prep for elementary students: Some private academies now offer courses to prepare children for medical school entrance exams—with classes starting as early as age two.

⚖️ The Future of South Korea’s Private Education Market

As the "early education race" and "academic competition from infancy" continue to escalate, the South Korean government is under pressure to regulate the booming private education market. However, with parents determined to secure the best opportunities for their children, private tutoring remains a multi-billion-dollar industry that shows no signs of slowing down.

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