South Koreans' spending on private education jumped more than 7 percent in 2008 despite a protracted economic downturn.

South Korean parents spent a total of 18.72 trillion won ($14 billion) on private education last year, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday, quoting data released by the Bank of Korea.

Spending reached a monthly average of 1.12 million won per household last year, marking a three-fold jump compared with that in 2000.

Spending on private education has been rising sharply since 2001 when it stood at 8.11 trillion won. In 2003, the figure exceeded the 10 trillion won mark before growing to 12.86 trillion won in 2004 and 13.75 trillion won in 2005. The spending rose to 15.65 trillion won in 2006.

The increase came despite a deepening economic downturn in the wake of the global financial turmoil that began in September, highlighting South Korean parents' enthusiasm for education.

Some parents even take on an extra job to pay for their children's tutoring fees. Dissatisfaction with the government's public education policies has also moved them to the private sector.