People born in the 1970s make up 72.4% of executives at South Korea's top 100 firms
In short
Headhunting firm Unico Search said on 22 October that 5,360 executives at South Korea's 100 largest listed companies, or 72.4% of the total, were born in the 1970s, passing 70% for the first time. Executives born in 1980 or later rose to 357, from 256 a year earlier.
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Executives born in the 1970s account for 72.4% of all executives at South Korea's 100 largest listed companies, headhunting firm Unico Search said on 22 October. The 5,360 executives born in that decade are the first time the share has passed 70%, up 5.6 percentage points from 66.8% last year, according to Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily. [ 1 , 2 ]
The analysis, titled 'Status of Executive Age Groups at the Top 100 Domestic Companies in 2026', looked at the ages of inside directors and unregistered executives. It used this year's half-year reports of the 100 listed companies with the highest sales on last year's separate financial statements. The 100 companies have 7,403 executives, 97 more than last year's 7,306 and close to the 7,404 recorded in 2024, Newsis reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
By five-year group, those born in 1970-1974 were the largest at 3,374 (45.6%). Those born in 1975-1979 rose from 1,531 (21%) to 1,986 (26.8%), an increase of 455. Among single birth years, 1971 was the largest with 780 executives, followed by 1972 (679), 1973 (646), 1970 (643) and 1974 (626), and 1976 saw the biggest one-year rise, at 119. Executives born in 1965-1969 fell by 421 to 1,438, and their share dropped from 25.4% to 19.4%. [ 1 , 2 ]
Executives born in 1980 or later numbered 357 this year, passing 300 for the first time. The count was 105 in 2022, 131 in 2023, 189 in 2024 and 256 last year, and their share of all executives rose from 1.5% in 2022 to 4.8% this year. [ 1 , 2 ]
Among the 266 inside directors, a group that includes chief-executive-level managers, those born in 1965-1969 were still the largest group at 117 (44%). Those born in 1970 or later rose from 61 (22.1%) to 75 (28.2%). Inside directors born in 1960-1964 numbered 51 (19.2%), down from 24.6% a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kim Hye-yang, Unico Search's chief executive, said major companies are likely to speed up business restructuring around artificial intelligence and actively promote key talent in that field. Newsis quoted her as saying the number of executives born in 1980 or later could rise to the 500s in the executive reshuffles from the end of this year into early next year. Yonhap's summary said those born in the 1970s are firmly established as the core of management while those born in the 1980s are advancing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The figures show a continuing generational change in the management of large Korean companies, according to the outlets covering the report. Unico Search's chief executive expects the trend to continue as firms restructure around artificial intelligence.
Key facts
- Unico Search said 5,360 executives at the top 100 companies were born in the 1970s, 72.4% of the total, up from 66.8% last year. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 100 companies have 7,403 executives in all, up 97 from 7,306 last year; the 2024 figure was 7,404. [ 1 ]
- Executives born in 1980 or later numbered 357, up from 256 last year, and made up 4.8% of the total, against 1.5% in 2022. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Executives born in 1965-1969 fell from 1,859 to 1,438, and their share from 25.4% to 19.4%. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Among 266 inside directors, those born in 1970 or later rose from 61 (22.1%) to 75 (28.2%). [ 1 , 2 ]
- Those born in 1971 are the largest single birth-year group, with 780 executives. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- People born in the 1970s are 72.4% of executives at the top 100 companies, the first time the share has passed 70%, up from 66.8% last year. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The number of executives born in 1980 or later passed 300 for the first time, reaching 357. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Inside directors born in 1970 or later rose from 61 (22.1%) to 75 (28.2%) of 266. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Executives born in 1975-1979 rose from 1,531 (21%) to 1,986 (26.8%). [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the number of executives born in 1980 or later will reach the 500s after year-end promotions. This is a forecast by Unico Search chief executive Kim Hye-yang, reported by Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily; it is not a result.