The number of Employment Insurance subscribers rose by 263,000 in the previous month. It was the first time in 15 months that the increase was in the 200,000 range. The service sector and employment among older adults led the overall growth.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 9th, the number of regular Employment Insurance subscribers in the previous month (January) was 15,437,000, up 263,000 (1.7%) from a year earlier. This is the largest increase since March 2024 (272,000).
By industry, the number of subscribers in the service sector grew by 277,000. Most service industries showed increases, including health and welfare (125,000), accommodation and food services (45,000), business services (28,000), and professional, scientific and technical services (22,000).
By contrast, manufacturing and construction fell for eight and 30 consecutive months, respectively. However, the pace of decline eased. Manufacturing subscribers stood at 3,834,000, down 5,000 (0.1%). Declines were seen in fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment, textiles, and rubber and plastics. Construction subscribers totaled 743,000, down 116,000.
By gender, male subscribers numbered 8,496,000, up 80,000 from a year earlier. Female subscribers totaled 6,941,000, an increase of 183,000.
By age group, those 60 and older saw the largest increase, with subscribers up 209,000. They were followed by those in their 30s, up 90,000, and those in their 50s, up 46,000. In contrast, those 29 and under decreased by 73,000, and those in their 40s fell by 9,000.
With the expansion of foreign labor inflows, the number of foreign Employment Insurance subscribers across all industries increased by 19,000.
New applicants for job-seeking benefits (unemployment benefits) in the previous month numbered 201,000, up 15,000 (8%) from a year earlier. Recipients of job-seeking benefits totaled 621,000, an increase of 21,000 (3.6%). However, the amount paid in job-seeking benefits was 974.2 billion won, down 500 million won (0.1%) from a year earlier.
An official at the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said, "The declines in manufacturing and construction have narrowed, while the increase in services has widened," adding, "The service sector and older adults are leading the job growth trend." The official added, "Conditions improved from the previous month, but public institutional sector job programs may also be a factor," and "Job opportunities for young people are decreasing."