Business · Economy · 15 hrs ago
Older workers drove South Korea’s regular job growth in Q3
South Korea had 16.84 million regular employees in the July-to-September quarter, up 167,628 from a year earlier.
Workers aged 60 and older accounted for 74.9% of the increase, adding 125,573 regular jobs.
They made up less than 14% of all regular employees, and the rise reflects South Korea’s aging population.
Regular employment among people in their 20s fell by 82,836, marking 15 straight quarters of decline.
The number of regular employees in their 30s also fell by 3,711, even though the population in that age group grew by 81,433.
A ministry survey in August found about 680,000 people in their 20s and 30s were not working and were resting.
The figures show that older workers are driving regular job growth while employment among younger people continues to weaken.
Workers aged 60 and older accounted for 74.9 percent of South Korea’s increase in regular employees in the third quarter.
The number of regular employees reached 16.84 million, up 167,628 from a year earlier.
Regular employment among workers in their 20s fell by 82,836, its 15th consecutive quarterly decline.
The rise in employment among older workers reflected the country’s aging population, the statistics ministry said.
- Who
- Workers aged 60 and older drove most of the increase in regular employment.
- What
- South Korea’s regular employment rose by 167,628 from a year earlier. Employment among workers in their 20s and 30s fell.
- When
- The third quarter of 2026, covering July to September.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The increase among older workers reflected the country’s aging population.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Korea had 16.84 million regular employees, up 167,628 from a year earlier.
A ministry survey found about 680,000 people in their 20s and 30s were not employed and were described as resting.
- Total regular employees
- 16.84 million in Q3
- Year-on-year increase
- 167,628 regular employees
- Workers aged 60 and older
- Increase of 125,573; 74.9 percent of the total increase
- Workers in their 20s
- Decrease of 82,836; 15th consecutive quarterly decline
- Workers in their 30s
- Decrease of 3,711 despite a population increase of 81,433