Why High-Achieving Students Become Struggling Adults
When I first encountered the results of the OECD's 2023 Survey of Adult Skills for Korea, I was genuinely shocked. How could a nation celebrated for its educational excellence and consistently high PISA scores among students show below-average adult proficiency in fundamental skills? This alarming disconnect demanded a deeper investigation.
The data reveals a troubling paradox: Korean teenagers rank among the world's best in academic assessments, yet something happens as they transition to adulthood that erodes these advantages. With literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills all below OECD averages among Korean adults, we must ask: what has gone wrong in the journey from educational achievement to practical adult competency?
The Alarming Skills Gap: What the Survey Reveals
The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills reveals troubling findings about the fundamental competencies of Korean adults. In 2022-23, Korea participated in this assessment for the second time, enabling researchers to track changes since their initial participation in 2011-12.
Korean adults aged 16-65 averaged 249 points in literacy, 253 points in numeracy, and 238 points in adaptive problem solving, all of which are below the OECD averages. These are not minor differences but significant gaps that have real-world implications for economic opportunities and social participation. Even more concerning, nearly one-third (31%) of Korean adults scored at Level 1 or below in literacy, compared to the OECD average of 26%. This indicates that they can only comprehend short, simple texts and struggle with more complex information-processing tasks that are increasingly essential in modern life. In numeracy, 28% scored at or below Level 1 (OECD average: 25%), signaling their difficulty with multi-step mathematical processes. The problem-solving gap is even more pronounced, with 37% of Korean adults at or below Level 1, significantly higher than the OECD average of 29%.
Perhaps most alarming is that 20% of Korean adults scored at the lowest proficiency levels across all three domains—literacy, numeracy, and problem solving. These individuals encounter substantial barriers to participation in an increasingly digital, information-intensive economy.
The Paradox: High-Achieving Students, Struggling Adults
This skills gap presents a real paradox. Korea's education system consistently produces students who excel in international assessments like PISA. Korean youth are recognized for their academic strengths, particularly in mathematics and science. So, what accounts for this disconnect between outstanding student performance and below-average adult competencies?
The survey data provides important insights. Young Korean adults (ages 16-24) actually scored above the OECD average in literacy (276 points) and close to the average in numeracy (272 points), although they still scored below average in problem-solving (257 points). This indicates that recent graduates of Korea's education system are better equipped with essential skills. The significant generational gap becomes clear when comparing age groups. Korean adults aged 55-65 scored an astonishing 55 points lower than those aged 25-34 in literacy—almost double the OECD average gap of 30 points. This highlights dramatic differences in educational quality and opportunities across generations in Korea, likely reflecting the country's rapid economic and educational transformation.
Another troubling trend is that performance has declined over time. Average results in 2022-23 were lower compared to 2011-12 in both literacy and numeracy. The share of low-performing adults increased, while the number of high performers decreased in literacy. The gap between the highest and lowest performers widened, indicating growing inequality in skill distribution. What makes this decline particularly concerning is that it happened despite Korea having the largest increase in tertiary-educated adults among participating countries. More education is not translating to maintained skill levels, suggesting potential issues with educational quality or skill retention.
Why These Findings Matter for Parents and Educators
The consequences of insufficient adult skills reach well beyond academic concerns. The survey clearly indicates that skills are closely tied to economic and social outcomes. Korean adults who achieved the highest proficiency levels had:
- Higher labor force participation rates (87% vs. 75% for low-skilled adults)
- Lower unemployment rates (1% vs. 3%)
- Substantially higher median hourly earnings (27 USD PPP vs. 18 USD PPP)
- Better self-reported health (24% vs. 13% reporting excellent health)
- Higher life satisfaction (67% vs. 46%)
- Greater political efficacy (34% vs. 17%)
These connections between skills and life outcomes remain significant even after accounting for educational qualifications, suggesting that actual competencies—not just credentials—determine success.
For parents, this raises important questions about educational priorities. The data shows that concentrating solely on academic achievement and credentials, without ensuring enduring competencies in basic skills, may leave children vulnerable as adults. The skills gap is further complicated by mismatches in the workforce. Korea has the highest rate of overqualification among OECD countries, with 31% of workers holding qualifications that exceed what their jobs require. Additionally, 49% are employed in fields unrelated to their educational specialization. While these mismatches don't significantly impact wages in Korea (unlike other OECD countries), they do affect life satisfaction.
What's Behind the Skills Decline?
Several factors may contribute to Korea's adult skills challenges:
Aging Effects: The survey reveals significant age-related skill losses, particularly after age 35. Young adults born between 1989 and 1996 scored 19 points lower in literacy when evaluated at ages 27-34 compared to their scores at ages 16-23. For older generations, the decline was even steeper—42 points lower when assessed at ages 55-65 versus ages 44-54.
Demographic Shifts: Korea experienced the largest increase in the proportion of 55-65 year-olds among participating countries from 2011-12 to 2022-23, which naturally affects nationwide averages, as older adults generally score lower.
Educational Focus: Korea's education system has traditionally placed greater emphasis on test performance and credential attainment rather than fostering enduring, practical skills that withstand age-related decline.
Skills Utilization: The high rate of qualification mismatches indicates that many Koreans may not frequently apply the skills they acquired during their education, potentially accelerating skill atrophy.
The gender dimension adds another layer of complexity. While no significant gender difference was observed in literacy, men scored higher in numeracy (by 8 points) and problem solving (by 5 points). Interestingly, the largest declines in performance over time occurred among older men, while older women's performance evolved somewhat more favorably.
Bridging the Gap: Building Lasting Skills
The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills presents both a warning and an opportunity for Korean society. The concerning disconnect between student achievement and adult competency suggests that educational success cannot be measured solely by test scores or credentials; it must be assessed by how effectively skills are maintained over a lifetime.
For parents and educators, this necessitates a fundamental shift in our approach to educational success. Instead of concentrating exclusively on academic achievement and test performance, we must focus more on cultivating practical, adaptable skills that resist age-related decline.
In this context, lifelong learning assumes renewed significance. The notable skill declines witnessed with age indicate that ongoing skill development and maintenance throughout adulthood are vital, especially as careers extend and technological change accelerates.
The skills gap also raises critical questions about educational equity and access. The widening divide between high and low performers highlights increasing inequality in skill distribution, threatening social cohesion and economic opportunity. As we contemplate these findings, we may ask: How can we construct an education system that fosters not only short-term academic success but also lifelong learning capabilities? What balance of knowledge acquisition and practical application will best benefit our children throughout their lives? And how can we ensure adults have opportunities to sustain and develop their skills as they age? These questions necessitate serious reflection from policymakers, educators, and parents alike if Korea intends to close the alarming gap between exceptional student performance and below-average adult competencies.
Based on: Survey of Adult Skills 2023 – Country Notes: Korea © OECD 2024