In the first half of this year, the employment rate in urban areas of the province recorded the highest level since the statistics were compiled. This increase is attributed to job growth centered around health and social welfare services. Conversely, the employment rates in rural and district areas decreased due to the contraction of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, as well as the food and accommodation industries.
According to the '2025 Half-Yearly Employment Survey by Region' announced by the Statistics Korea on the 21st, the number of employed individuals in urban areas reached 14.175 million, an increase of 162,000 compared to the same period last year. Consequently, the employment rate also increased by 0.3%p to 62.6%, marking the highest level since the relevant statistics began in 2013.
Areas with high employment rates include Dangjin in Chungcheongnam-do (72.2%), Seogwipo in Jeju (71.7%), and Namwon in North Jeolla (68.3%).
Rural and district areas declined side by side. The number of employed individuals in rural areas is 2.103 million, a decrease of 4,000 from the same period last year. The employment rate fell by 0.1%p to 69.2%. The number of employed individuals in district areas decreased by 23,000 over the year to 1.159 million. The employment rate dropped by 0.2%p to 58.8%. The employment rate in district areas showed a downward trend for the first time.
Song Jun-haeng, the head of the Employment Statistics Division at Statistics Korea, noted, "The rural areas have a significant proportion of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and the cold wave in April decreased employment among agricultural workers," adding, "The district areas decreased due to the impact of the food, accommodation, and retail sectors."
The number of unemployed individuals and the unemployment rate also decreased in most regions. The number of unemployed individuals in urban areas is 440,000, down by 7,000 compared to the same period last year. The unemployment rate fell by 0.1%p to 3.0%.
The number of unemployed individuals in district areas is 467,000, a decrease of 16,000 from last year, with an unemployment rate dropping by 0.1%p to 3.9% during the same period. However, the number of unemployed individuals in rural areas remained the same at 28,000, with an unemployment rate also unchanged at 1.3%.
The region with the highest unemployment rate in the country was Dong-gu in Ulsan (5.7%). Other areas with high unemployment rates include Geumcheon-gu in Seoul (5.5%), Yangju in Gyeonggi Province (5.4%), Michuhol-gu in Incheon (5.4%), Gumi in North Gyeongsang (5.3%), and Wonju in Gangwon (4.2%).
The region with a high proportion of commuting employed individuals residing in the area is Ulleungdo (100.0%). This means that all employed individuals in Ulleungdo reside there. Jindo in South Jeolla (99.5%) and Yeosu in South Jeolla (98.3%) also showed a high proportion of commuting employed individuals residing in the area.
The proportion of employed individuals based on the workplace in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries was highest in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang (50.9%), while the highest in manufacturing was in Eumseong, North Chungcheong (43.1%). In construction, the highest proportion was in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province (12.8%). The proportion of employed individuals based on the workplace in wholesale, accommodation, and food service was highest in Sokcho, Gangwon (30.2%), and electrical, transportation, communication, and finance was highest in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province (23.9%).
Regions with a high proportion of economically inactive populations include Yeongdo-gu in Busan (48.9%), Seo-gu in Daegu (46.3%), Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province (41.1%), and Mokpo in South Jeolla (39.5%). In contrast, regions with lower rates include Sinan in South Jeolla (19.1%), Ulleung in North Gyeongsang (16.9%), Gunwi in Daegu (24.5%), and Ongjin in Incheon (21.6%).