South Korea added 225,000 jobs in November, bringing total employment to 29.05 million and continuing the recovery trend this year. However, youth employment fell for the 19th consecutive month, while manufacturing and construction sectors saw ongoing declines. The unemployment rate held steady at 2.2 percent, underscoring challenges for young job seekers.
South Korea's number of employed people reached 29.05 million in November, an increase of 225,000 from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. This marks a continued upward trend in employment this year, following a net loss of 52,000 jobs last December. The labor market added 245,000 jobs in May, moderated to 183,000 in June, jumped to 312,000 in September, and grew by 193,000 in October.
However, employment in key sectors declined. The manufacturing sector, a backbone of the economy, lost 41,000 jobs year-on-year, extending its downturn for the 17th consecutive month. Construction shed 131,000 jobs for the 19th straight month, and the agro-fisheries sector dropped by 132,000. The accommodation and food service sector fell by 22,000 jobs, its first decline in four months. "The sector had seen improvement thanks to consumption coupon handouts, but their effects appear to be fading," said Gong Mi-sook, a ministry official.
Job growth was driven by the health care and social welfare sector, which added 281,000 positions, and the arts and sports sector with 61,000. By age, employment among those 60 and older surged by 333,000. In contrast, youth aged 15-29 lost 177,000 jobs, with the employment rate dropping 1.2 percentage points to 44.3 percent—the 19th month of decline.
The number of economically inactive people decreased by 10,000 to 16.14 million, partly due to a 65,000 drop in parental leave takers. However, those out of work to rest rose by 124,000. Notably, people in their 30s resting increased by 6,000 to 314,000, the highest for any November. The overall unemployment rate was 2.2 percent, unchanged, with unemployed people up 5,000 to 661,000, highlighting persistent youth struggles.
