According to a recent survey for the first half of 2018, released by the recruitment website DODA, operated by major recruitment agency Persol Career Co. Ltd, successful employees change jobs at an average age of 31.6. This is 0.5 years younger than the average age of 32.1 found in the previous survey that covered the latter half of 2017.
Different results were also found depending on gender; the average age for men who start with a new employer was 32.4, 0.3 years younger than of the last findings, while for women it was 29.7, the same age as in the previous findings.
Looking at each age group, it is obvious younger employees are more likely to switch jobs. The group of 25 to 29-year-olds topped the chart at 39.6%, followed by 30 to 34-year-olds at 23.3% and 40 years old and over at 14.0%. Compared to the previous findings, the figures for under 24s and 25 to 29-year-olds have increased by 0.8% and 1.5% respectively.
The survey covered approximately 160,000 professionals who used the DODA online career change support service during the period from July 2017 to June 2018.
In Japan, it was usual for graduates to get a job at a company and continue to work there until retirement, often called the lifetime employment system. Career changes, however, have become more common recently even for people in their 20s. This trend is expected to further accelerate in the future, and the Japanese labor market is predicted to become more and more fluid in terms of movement.
［Reference］Younger professionals in Japan changing jobs more often, at an average age of 32, according to DODA
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