Spending on private education of high school students South Korea 2012-2023

In 2023, a high school student in South Korea spent an average of 491,000 South Korean won per month on private education, which increased from about 460,000 won in the previous year. The average private education spending by high school students has been steadily increasing in recent years.

South Korea's Competitive Education System

Attending a prestigious university in South Korea is traditionally seen as a pathway to obtaining a high social status. As a result, Korean students engage in fierce competition to excel in all school subjects, including mathematics, English, music, and even sports. This competition intensifies in high school as students begin preparing for the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test, known as Suneung in Korean. High school students often stay late at school for self-study sessions scheduled by the school and then proceed to additional private tutoring. 

Education in South Korea

South Korea's mandatory education comprises six years of primary education and three years of secondary education. The majority of citizens continue their education in secondary schools and pursue higher education degrees. The university enrollment rate was over 76 percent in 2023, making it one of the highest among OECD countries.