South Korea's regular employee count reached 16.84 million in the July-September period, up 167,628 from a year earlier, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said on November 8. Workers aged 60 and older accounted for 74.9% of that increase, while regular employment fell among workers in their 20s and 30s.
South Korea's regular employee count rose 167,628 in the third quarter, but 74.9% of that gain came from workers aged 60 and older, while regular employment in the 20s fell for a 15th straight quarter.
South Korea's regular employee count reached 16.84 million in the July-September period, up 167,628 from a year earlier, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said on November 8.
Workers aged 60 and older made up less than 14% of all regular employees, but their number rose by 125,573 from a year earlier, accounting for 74.9% of the total increase. The ministry said the shift reflects the country's aging population.
Regular employment among younger workers declined. The number of regular employees in their 20s fell by 82,836 from a year earlier, the 15th consecutive quarter of decline since the first quarter of 2023. The figure for workers in their 30s fell by 3,711 even though the population in that age group rose by 81,433.
A ministry survey conducted in August showed that about 680,000 people in their 20s and 30s were not employed and were resting, the ministry said.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.