The variety of employed individuals elevated by greater than 220,000 in November in comparison with the identical month final yr, sustaining outward development momentum within the employment market. Nonetheless, a lot of the elevated jobs have been concentrated in these aged 60 and above and within the well being and social welfare sectors, whereas employment amongst youth and within the building trade confirmed notable declines, indicating persistent imbalances in employment high quality.
In accordance with the “November 2025 Employment Tendencies” launched by Statistics Korea on Dec. 10, the variety of employed individuals aged 15 and above reached 29 million 460,000 final month, a rise of 225,000 in comparison with the identical month final yr. The employment price for these aged 15-64, the OECD comparability commonplace, was 70.2%, up 0.3 proportion factors from a yr in the past. The general employment price for these aged 15 and above additionally rose to 63.4%, up 0.2 proportion factors year-on-year, exhibiting favorable developments. The unemployment price remained at 2.2%, the identical stage because the earlier yr, whereas the variety of unemployed elevated by 5,000 to 661,000.
By age group, the employment market was clearly divided. Employment amongst these aged 60 and above surged by 333,000 in comparison with the identical month final yr, exceeding the general enhance in employment. Employment amongst these of their 30s and 50s additionally elevated by 76,000 and a couple of,000, respectively.
In distinction, employment amongst youth (aged 15-29) declined by 177,000, persevering with a 19-month consecutive decline and prolonging the youth employment chilly wave. The youth employment price fell to 44.3%, down 1.2 proportion factors from the identical month final yr. Employment amongst these of their 40s, the financial spine, additionally decreased by 9,000 resulting from components together with inhabitants decline.
By trade, well being and social welfare companies led the general employment development. Employment on this sector elevated by 281,000 (9.3%) in comparison with the earlier yr, influenced by rising care demand. Enterprise facility administration, enterprise assist and rental companies (63,000), and humanities, sports activities and leisure-related companies (61,000) additionally confirmed will increase.
In distinction, the development trade, hit immediately by sluggish home demand and deteriorating enterprise situations, noticed employment decline by 131,000 (-6.3%), unable to flee its stoop. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries additionally decreased by 132,000 (-8.6%), and manufacturing employment fell by 41,000 (-0.9%).
By employment standing, common staff, who’ve comparatively steady positions, elevated by 258,000 (1.6%), and momentary staff additionally elevated by 65,000.
In the meantime, the “simply resting” inhabitants, those that should not ailing, disabled, at school, or serving within the navy however quit on the job search altogether, reached 2.543 million, a rise of 124,000 in comparison with the identical month final yr. The rise was significantly notable amongst these aged 60 and above (110,000) and people of their 20s (17,000). The resting inhabitants of their 30s elevated by 6,000, with the size of 30s not within the labor power hitting a report excessive.
A Statistics Korea official mentioned, “Declines in manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and building proceed, and the lower in youth employment charges can be ongoing.”
