Lifelong learning participation has increased from 29.8 percent in 2007 to 32.4 percent in 2011, but remains short of the OECD average of 40.2 percent, a survey showed Tuesday.

Participation in adult education was higher among women, younger people and persons of high income, but remained otherwise, according to the Education Ministry survey.

The survey asked 5,000 people between the ages of 25 and 64 to find out patterns and achievements in education and training in terms of lifelong learning statistics.

“People start to take interest in retraining and education for career changes and to enrich their lives after the financial crisis in 2007,” said an education official declining to be named.

But those who did not participate in retraining and education picked family responsibilities as the biggest obstacle with 78.9 percent. The long distance to education centers and conflict with work schedules came second and third at 42.8 percent and 26.3 percent.

“In order to attract more adults to lifelong learning, a change in company culture should be accompanied, where many people don’t dream of taking classes and going to schools because they are tied up with their work, which requires late night work most of the time,” said the official.

Of adults participating in lifelong learning activities, 30.1 percent are involved in informal learning activities such as job-related trainings and taking liberal arts classes while only 4.2 percent attend formal education institutions such as universities and graduate schools.

As Korean society becomes the aged society, people will begin to consider a second job after their retirement, and the government should assist in lifelong learning activities and individuals should feel the need to reeducate themselves, according to the official.

“The focus should shift to how we are going to lead our life after retirement,” the official added.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)