South Koreans spent nearly $30 billion on education in 2008, more than in any previous year, despite the deepening economic downturn, official figures showed on March 29.
The increase, due largely to a rise in spending on private teaching including English-language learning, indicated South Koreans were reluctant to cut back on education despite a dramatic economic slowdown.
Household spending on education reached an all-time high of 39.8 trillion won (US$9.5 billion) in 2008, up 7.7% from a year earlier, the Yonhap news agency said, citing Bank of Korea figures.
The global financial crisis has dampened consumer spending in South Korea and fueled a rise in unemployment.
The country's per-capita gross national income fell to $19,231 last year from $21,695 in 2007.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
About the Author
Agence France-Presse
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2002-2025. AFP text, photos, graphics and logos shall not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP shall not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP content, or for any actions taken in consequence.