The 2027 budget proposal for the Ministry of Education has been set at 117.6 trillion won, reflecting a 10.6% increase from the previous year's budget. To proactively address demographic changes and the AI transformation, a new Future Response Fund worth 4.9 trillion won has been established, focusing on early childhood care, regional youth settlement, and the development of advanced talent.
On September 1, the Ministry of Education officially announced the details of the 2027 budget proposal. The total expenditure for 2027 is 117.6 trillion won, an increase of 11.2 trillion won (10.6%) from the 2026 budget of 106.4 trillion won.
Notably, the budget for higher education and lifelong vocational education has seen significant growth. The higher education budget has been set at 18.97 trillion won, an increase of 18.2% (2.93 trillion won) from the previous year. The lifelong and vocational education sector also received a 20.5% (239.6 billion won) increase, totaling 1.41 trillion won. The early childhood and primary and secondary education sectors, including local education financial grants of 78.87 trillion won, have a total budget of 89.74 trillion won, up 9.3% (7.62 trillion won) from last year.
On September 1, the Ministry of Education officially announced the details of the 2027 budget proposal. The total expenditure for 2027 is 117.6 trillion won, an increase of 11.2 trillion won (10.6%) from the 2026 budget of 106.4 trillion won.
Notably, the budget for higher education and lifelong vocational education has seen significant growth. The higher education budget has been set at 18.97 trillion won, an increase of 18.2% (2.93 trillion won) from the previous year. The lifelong and vocational education sector also received a 20.5% (239.6 billion won) increase, totaling 1.41 trillion won. The early childhood and primary and secondary education sectors, including local education financial grants of 78.87 trillion won, have a total budget of 89.74 trillion won, up 9.3% (7.62 trillion won) from last year.
Strengthening National Responsibility for Early Childhood Education: Expanding Free Education for Three-Year-Olds and Improving Teacher Ratios
A total of 1.17 trillion won will be allocated to the 'Government Responsibility Type Integrated Care' project, which aims to enhance national responsibility for early childhood education and care, marking an increase of 373.3 billion won from the previous year. To expand the free education and care support for children from ages four to five to include three-year-olds, 642.9 billion won has been designated. The project to improve the teacher-to-child ratio for safety and quality of care will also be expanded to include children from zero to one year old, with an increase of 200.7 billion won, bringing the total to 526.9 billion won. Additionally, the budget for early childhood care fees will be increased by 3%, totaling 3.8 trillion won, an increase of 132.4 billion won.
The local education financial grants have been confirmed at 78.87 trillion won, reflecting an increase of 7.2 trillion won from the previous year, based on a revised formula that considers economic conditions and changes in the school-age population. Legal amendments will ensure that the total amount does not decrease compared to the previous year, supporting stable educational investments by local education offices.
The local education financial grants have been confirmed at 78.87 trillion won, reflecting an increase of 7.2 trillion won from the previous year, based on a revised formula that considers economic conditions and changes in the school-age population. Legal amendments will ensure that the total amount does not decrease compared to the previous year, supporting stable educational investments by local education offices.
Supporting Regional National Universities and Establishing Regional Scholarships: 4.5 Trillion Won for Youth Settlement
A total of 4.47 trillion won has been allocated for the 'Regional and Youth Support' project, aimed at promoting mutual growth between regions and universities while encouraging youth settlement in local areas.
The budget for supporting innovation at regional national universities will be expanded to 794.4 billion won, with concentrated support for three regional national universities, increasing the growth engine and AI package support from 70 billion won to 80 billion won per university. A new 'Future Talent Growth Fund for Local National Universities' worth 691 billion won will be established, allowing 21 local national universities to autonomously invest in their long-term development.
To alleviate the financial burden on local youth, a new 'Regional Balanced Development Scholarship' worth 328 billion won will be introduced. This will fully cover the tuition fees for 60,000 new students at local national universities (213 billion won) and significantly expand the regional scholarship program for private universities from 4,000 to 10,000 students (115 billion won). The 'First Career Project' will provide 60,000 university students with monthly support of 230,000 won, and a new initiative to enhance entrepreneurship education will link dormitory support and scholarships, with a budget of 47 billion won.
The budget for supporting innovation at regional national universities will be expanded to 794.4 billion won, with concentrated support for three regional national universities, increasing the growth engine and AI package support from 70 billion won to 80 billion won per university. A new 'Future Talent Growth Fund for Local National Universities' worth 691 billion won will be established, allowing 21 local national universities to autonomously invest in their long-term development.
To alleviate the financial burden on local youth, a new 'Regional Balanced Development Scholarship' worth 328 billion won will be introduced. This will fully cover the tuition fees for 60,000 new students at local national universities (213 billion won) and significantly expand the regional scholarship program for private universities from 4,000 to 10,000 students (115 billion won). The 'First Career Project' will provide 60,000 university students with monthly support of 230,000 won, and a new initiative to enhance entrepreneurship education will link dormitory support and scholarships, with a budget of 47 billion won.
Investing 3.3 Trillion Won in AI Rejuvenation Universities and Supporting Private University Infrastructure for Advanced Talent Development
A total of 3.26 trillion won will be invested in nurturing talent in advanced fields, science and engineering, and AI, which are crucial for the nation's future competitiveness.
The budget for advanced talent development has increased to 664.6 billion won, and a new 'Student Problem-Solving Project (PBL)' has been established with a budget of 140 billion won to address issues faced by businesses and communities. The 'Private University Science and Engineering Infrastructure Support Project' will receive 600 billion won to enhance advanced laboratory and research facilities, while the 'AI Rejuvenation University' program will provide focused education for 20,000 adults (2.07 trillion won across 40 universities). Additionally, a new initiative to reduce the burden of AI licensing fees for university students will be established with a budget of 20 billion won.
To strengthen research capabilities in basic academic disciplines, a new 'Research-Oriented University Foundation Building (Basic)' project will be introduced with a budget of 30 billion won. The budget for supporting basic research in humanities, social sciences, and science, including the Brain Korea (BK) project, which is approaching its fifth phase, will be expanded to 1.74 trillion won (with a detailed total of 1.77 trillion won).
The budget for advanced talent development has increased to 664.6 billion won, and a new 'Student Problem-Solving Project (PBL)' has been established with a budget of 140 billion won to address issues faced by businesses and communities. The 'Private University Science and Engineering Infrastructure Support Project' will receive 600 billion won to enhance advanced laboratory and research facilities, while the 'AI Rejuvenation University' program will provide focused education for 20,000 adults (2.07 trillion won across 40 universities). Additionally, a new initiative to reduce the burden of AI licensing fees for university students will be established with a budget of 20 billion won.
To strengthen research capabilities in basic academic disciplines, a new 'Research-Oriented University Foundation Building (Basic)' project will be introduced with a budget of 30 billion won. The budget for supporting basic research in humanities, social sciences, and science, including the Brain Korea (BK) project, which is approaching its fifth phase, will be expanded to 1.74 trillion won (with a detailed total of 1.77 trillion won).
Launching the 4.9 Trillion Won Future Response Fund: Strategic Investment in Three Key Areas
The newly established Future Response Fund (Education and Talent Account) for 2027 will total 4.93 trillion won, strategically allocated as follows: 526.9 billion won for early childhood education (improving teacher-to-child ratios), 2.35 trillion won for regional and youth support (including growth funds for local national universities, regional scholarships, and first career projects), and 2.06 trillion won for AI talent development (including private university infrastructure and R&D).
Minister of Education Kim Kyo-jin stated, "The 2027 budget proposal reflects a strong commitment from the government to take responsibility for education and the nurturing of future talent in response to the challenges of low birth rates, regional extinction, and the AI transformation. We aim to bring about tangible changes that can be felt on the ground, from early childhood to higher and lifelong education."
Minister of Education Kim Kyo-jin stated, "The 2027 budget proposal reflects a strong commitment from the government to take responsibility for education and the nurturing of future talent in response to the challenges of low birth rates, regional extinction, and the AI transformation. We aim to bring about tangible changes that can be felt on the ground, from early childhood to higher and lifelong education."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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