“Your paycheck just passes through your account” ... 40% gone on payday, only 3% left a month later
- Input
- 2026-10-27 08:45:48
- Updated
- 2026-10-27 08:45:48
[Financial News] More than 40% of a paycheck was found to leave the account just one day after it was deposited, with only 3% left a month later. The figures appear to confirm the saying, “Your paycheck just passes through your account.”
44% of people in their 20s have less than 1 million won in their account on payday
According to NH Trend+, a report released on the 27th by NH NongHyup Bank based on its analysis of data from customers whose salaries were transferred to the bank from January through June this year and whose net pay was at least 1 million won, only 57% of salary earners’ average pay remained in their accounts the day after payday. Five days later, 35% remained; after 10 days, 22%; and a month later, just 3%.
The rapid outflow of money from accounts was more pronounced among younger people. Tracking checking account balances from payday showed that among people in their 20s, balances fell by 25% just one day after payday, with only 48% remaining a month later. By contrast, among people in their 60s, 90% of the balance remained the day after payday, and 76% was still there a month later.
The share of customers whose checking account balances fell to 1 million won or less after payday also varied markedly by age.
Among people in their 20s, 61.6% saw their account balances fall to 1 million won or less 10 days after payday. The shares were lower among older age groups: 44.1% for those in their 30s, 37.6% in their 40s, 31.4% in their 50s, and 23.0% among those aged 60 and older. This is thought to be because older age groups tend to hold larger balances in their accounts.
Checking account balances: 1.18 million won for people in their 30s, 3.56 million won for those in their 60s
Average checking account balances were 750,000 won for people in their 20s, 1.18 million won for those in their 30s, 1.56 million won for those in their 40s, 2.16 million won for those in their 50s, and 3.56 million won for those aged 60 and older.
Meanwhile, the median monthly salary of customers receiving salary transfers was 3.71 million won. By age group, people in their 50s had the highest median at 4.69 million won, followed by those in their 40s at 4.46 million won, their 30s at 3.64 million won, those aged 60 and older at 3.08 million won, and those in their 20s at 3.03 million won.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter