若手には恩恵、報われない就職氷河期世代の現状［2024.8.19］

6日に発表された6月の毎月勤労統計調査によると、名目賃金を示す1人当たりの現金給与総額はプラス4.5％と、消費者物価指数のプラス3.3％を上回り、2年6カ月連続の増加で推移している。

物価上昇とともに、さまざまな企業で賃金アップが報じられているが、恩恵を受けているのは主に若手社員だという。

「平均賃上げ率は5～6％ほどですが、全世代が一律に上がっているわけではありません。33年ぶりの大幅賃上げと言われていますが、若年層の人材確保や離職防止を目的として若手の賃金を手厚くする一方で、そのしわ寄せは既存社員に来ていて、上に行くほど賃上げされていません。特にポジション的に苦しいのが、40代前半～50代前半の就職氷河期世代と言われる人たちです」（人事ジャーナリスト・溝上憲文氏）

　バブル崩壊後の1993年から2005年にかけて社会人になった就職氷河期世代は、新卒で正社員になれなかった人が多く、進学も就職もしなかった人を指す学卒無業者が、00年度は大卒者の22.5％を占めた。就職できたとしても非正規採用が多く、高学歴ワーキングプアという言葉が聞かれ始めたのもこの頃からだ。

「子育て世代にもかかわらずほとんど賃上げされていないだけでなく、上には層の厚いバブル世代がいて、管理職ポストが限られ昇進もままならない状況です。フリーターからようやく正社員になれたとしても、格差が生じてしまっています」（溝上憲文氏）

　40代の金融資産保有額は、100万円未満が14％を占める状況（23年）だ。賃金が上がらない上に蓄えも乏しいため、このままでは厳しい老後を迎えることは確実とみられている。そこに追い打ちをかけるように、リストラの波がこの世代を直撃しているという。

「今年に入って上場企業でリストラが加速していて、今年は1万人を超えるといわれています。昨年12月に上場廃止になった東芝は、3年連続でベースアップに満額回答していますが、その一方で、国内従業員のおよそ4000人の削減を発表しています。多くの企業でターゲットとなるのは40～45歳以上がほとんどです」（溝上憲文氏）

　就職氷河期世代は浮かばれないまま、社会人生活を終えることになるのか。

■英訳　

According to the Monthly Labour Survey for June, released on the 6th, the average total cash earnings per person, which indicates nominal wages, rose by 4.5%, surpassing the 3.3% increase in the Consumer Price Index. This marks a continuous increase for the past two and a half years.

Although wage increases are being reported across various companies in line with rising prices, it is primarily younger employees who are benefiting.

"The average wage increase rate is around 5-6%, but this doesn't mean that all generations are receiving the same boost. Despite being touted as the biggest wage hike in 33 years, the focus has been on securing and retaining young talent, resulting in higher wages for younger employees. Unfortunately, this has led to existing employees, especially those higher up, receiving smaller increases. The situation is particularly difficult for those in their early 40s to early 50s, often referred to as the 'employment ice age generation'," says labor journalist Norifumi Mizokami.

The "employment ice age generation" refers to those who entered the workforce between 1993 and 2005, following the burst of Japan's economic bubble. Many of these individuals were unable to secure full-time positions upon graduation. In the year 2000, 22.5% of university graduates fell into the category of "freeters"—those who neither pursued further education nor secured regular employment. Even for those who did find jobs, non-regular employment was common, giving rise to the term "highly educated working poor."

"Despite being in the child-rearing stage of life, this generation has seen little to no wage increases. Moreover, they face limited opportunities for promotion, with higher management positions dominated by the 'bubble generation.' Even those who managed to secure full-time employment after years of being freeters now find themselves facing significant disparities," Mizokami explains.

In 2023, 14% of people in their 40s held financial assets of less than 1 million yen. With stagnant wages and minimal savings, many in this generation are facing the prospect of a difficult retirement. Adding to their woes, a wave of corporate restructuring is hitting this generation particularly hard.

"Corporate restructuring among publicly listed companies has accelerated this year, with more than 10,000 employees expected to be affected. Toshiba, which was delisted in December last year, granted full wage increases for three consecutive years but simultaneously announced plans to cut around 4,000 domestic jobs. In many companies, the targets for layoffs are overwhelmingly those aged 40 to 45 and older," Mizokami notes.

Will the "employment ice age generation" be able to find relief, or will they end their careers without ever having been adequately rewarded for their efforts?

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