Health ministry reports income gains among youth account holders

The health ministry said that low-income young people who joined the Youth Tomorrow Savings Account in 2022 recorded average monthly total income of 2.35 million won ($1,661) in 2025, up from 1.83 million won ($1,293).

The account supports regular saving by working low-income young people and helps them build a lump sum after three years.

The ministry's fourth-year panel study involved 3,241 people who enrolled in 2022 and 2023 and examined changes before and after participation. For the 2022 cohort, financial literacy scores rose to 67.1 from 65.1 out of 100.

The share of the 2022 cohort in permanent jobs rose to 45.2 percent in 2025 from 41.1 percent in 2022, while the proportion working full time climbed to 66.5 percent from 52.2 percent.

Homeownership among the cohort rose to 15.6 percent from 10.2 percent, and housing satisfaction increased to 3.58 out of five from 3.47.

Among 1,853 users of finance-focused services offered in 2025, financial-management capability scores rose to 29 after participation from 26.9 before it, while life-satisfaction scores increased to 6.7 from 6.2.

"The effectiveness analysis of the Youth Tomorrow Savings Account has confirmed positive changes for participating young people across financial, employment and housing measures," Kim Moon-sik, the ministry's welfare policy director, said. The ministry said it plans to use the panel findings to improve the program and strengthen tailored financial counseling and education.