정부, ‘청년 성장 사다리’ 복원에 43조 쓴다…일자리·자산형성 기회 확대

The government plans to invest 43 trillion won in restoring the "youth growth ladder" for the next year, focusing on strengthening support from education to job creation and asset formation throughout the stages of young people's lives. On March 28, the presidential office held the '2027 Youth Budget Unpacking' event, led by President Yoon Suk-yeol, and unveiled a comprehensive investment strategy called 'Yonggwan Growth Phase Integrated Investment Strategy.'

The strategy is divided into three parts: 1) Restoring the growth ladder (job and entrepreneurship), 2) Reducing the starting line gaps (education, housing, asset formation), and 3) Enhancing life quality (living standards and culture). The investment amount is expected to increase by 54% from 28.2 trillion won this year to 43.3 trillion won next year.

Key measures include expanding the K-New Deal Academy program from 10,000 to 50,000 participants to enhance the skills of experienced workers. A 'First Job Project' will be established to provide internship opportunities for college students, benefiting 60,000 individuals. Employers of government-backed programs will receive a hiring incentive, with small and medium-sized enterprises receiving ₩720 million and regional giants ₩360 million.

The government also plans to create 200,000 additional government and private jobs by 2030 and introduce a 'Youth Startup Package' to support high-potential technology-based startup companies. To address the starting line gaps in education and housing, support for the youth will be strengthened. In the education sector, university students will be provided with an AI model subscription, and all disciplines except medical sciences at national universities will receive full scholarships.

Housing assistance for the youth will be increased, with a higher (17%) tax credit rate compared to the general rate (15%). Publicly subsidized affordable housing will be provided to the youth for more than 50% of their housing needs. To help young people form assets, the 'Our Children's Independence Fund' will be introduced, providing a matching contribution from the government for parents who make regular deposits.

The support is adjusted based on income levels, with low-income families receiving ₩120,000 regardless of parental contributions. Additional measures to improve the quality of life include extending the youth cultural pass to age 34, expanding the range of events covered, and providing national subsidies of up to ₩1.4 billion for children born in low-income areas until they turn 18, and up to ₩1.9 billion until age 34.