The companies plan to recruit 7.3 percent fewer college graduates and reduce the number of hirees with high school diplomas by 7.9 percent compared to the year before.

Of those surveyed, 53.7 percent said they are planning to have new recruits this year.

About a quarter (25.3 percent) of those questioned said they have not yet made a decision on whether to hire new employees this year while 21.0 percent said they have no plans to employ new workers.

The declining size of new employees was attributed by companies to poor business performance due to the slumping economy (46.6 percent), domestic and global economic uncertainties (21.2 percent) and the extension of the retirement age to 60 (14.0 percent).

About 47.3 percent said they will be able to employ more this year if wages are frozen.

The companies surveyed preferred to employ fresh recruits (69.1 percent) compared with experienced workers (30.9 percent).

The proportion of experienced workers rose 1.6 percent this year from the previous year as they can more easily do their jobs without additional training. (Yonhap)