Wealth Tops Happiness Criteria for Korean Teens

In a recent survey conducted by the 대학내일20대연구소, Korean teenagers identified 'wealth' as the most crucial factor for happiness, surpassing family and friends. The study, which involved 800 participants aged 14 to 18 from 17 cities across South Korea, was carried out from March 21 to April 2, 2025.

According to the findings, 52.1% of respondents believe that wealth is essential for happiness, followed by parents (39.5%), close friends (34.6%), rest and relaxation (32.8%), appearance (32.1%), hobbies and interests (30.8%), and life goals and dreams (30.3%).

Interestingly, female respondents showed a higher tendency to emphasize various factors contributing to happiness compared to their male counterparts. However, when it came to the importance of having a romantic partner, male respondents (26.9%) outnumbered females (18.6%).

The survey also revealed that students with lower academic performance are more likely to view life goals (36.5%) and home ownership (30.0%) as vital for happiness. Among those from lower economic backgrounds, mental strength (31.0%) was notably highlighted.

Many teenagers expressed skepticism about upward mobility in wealth by the age of 30. Those from higher-income families predicted they would remain in upper (13.0%) or upper-middle (35.6%) classes, while 61.2% of those from middle-income families expected to maintain their current status. Conversely, lower-income respondents anticipated remaining in the middle (42.5%) or lower-middle (38.5%) classes.

The perception of social class was closely linked to academic performance. About 49.1% of students with above-average grades expected to be in the upper-middle class or higher by age 30, while 40.0% of those with below-average grades predicted they would fall into the lower-middle class or below.

Regarding career aspirations outside of college, 42.3% of respondents expressed interest in starting their own business, while 36.9% considered becoming influencers, though neither figure reached half of the total respondents. Notably, those from higher economic backgrounds (51.0%) and with better academic performance (48.6%) showed significantly higher entrepreneurial intentions. The research suggests that family economic status and academic success play a crucial role in shaping teenagers' future opportunities and self-confidence.