Jobseekers are seen at a job pageant in Seoul, Dec. 2. Yonhap
The employment price for folks of their 20s fell in 2025 for the primary time in 5 years as a shrinking inhabitants and a weak job market weighed on hiring, knowledge confirmed Sunday.
The employment price for folks of their 20s stood at 60.2 p.c final 12 months, down 0.8 share level from a 12 months earlier, in line with knowledge launched by the Ministry of Knowledge and Statistics. It was the primary on-year decline since 2020, when hiring slumped amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The variety of employed folks of their 20s totaled 3.44 million final 12 months, down 170,000 from a 12 months earlier. The decline has continued for 3 straight years and has been accelerating, widening from a drop of 82,000 in 2023 to 124,000 in 2024.
The inhabitants decline has been cited as a key issue because the variety of folks on this age group has fallen for 5 consecutive years since 2021.
However employment within the age bracket declined at a steeper tempo than the inhabitants lower, suggesting broader weak point within the labor market.
“Up to now, many individuals discovered jobs of their 20s, however there may be now a rising tendency for folks to attend till their 30s seeking higher alternatives,” mentioned Yang Jun-seok, a professor of economics on the Catholic College of Korea.
Separate knowledge by the ministry confirmed that jobs at massive conglomerates totaled 4.43 million in 2024, up 17,000 from a 12 months earlier.
However the share of jobs being held by the identical employees rose 0.8 share level to 84.4 p.c, pointing to restricted job mobility.
