Last month, the number of people working at domestic enterprises increased by more than 170,000 from a year earlier, rising for six straight months. The number of manufacturing workers, which had declined through the end of last year, also grew for the second consecutive month. However, with the economic slump continuing, construction recorded a decline in the number of workers for the 21st consecutive month.
According to the enterprise labor force survey released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 31st, as of the end of last month, the number of workers at enterprises with at least one employee was 20,282,000, up 173,000 (0.9%) from a year earlier.
The number of workers at enterprises saw its growth slow from 2022 due to a decrease in population, then turned to a decline in January last year for the first time in 46 months and continued to fall thereafter. It returned to growth in September last year and rose for six straight months through last month.
The health and social welfare services sector led the increase. Last month, the number of workers in health and social welfare services rose by 111,000 (4.5%) from last year. Workers in transportation and warehousing (15,000) and professional, scientific and technical services (24,000) increased 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively, from a year earlier.
Manufacturing also continued to increase. Last month, the number of manufacturing workers rose by 11,000 (0.3%) from a year earlier. Manufacturing had declined for 27 consecutive months through December last year, then turned to growth in January this year with an increase of 18,000. It then rose for two straight months through last month. Manufacturing accounts for 20% of total workers across all industries, heavily influencing economic trends.
By contrast, the slump in construction is continuing. The number of construction workers fell by 32,000 (2.4%) from a year earlier. Due to the industry downturn, it has been on a downward trend for 21 consecutive months since June 2024.
By employment status, the number of regular employees increased by 77,000 (0.5%) from the same period a year earlier, and temporary and daily workers rose by 119,000 (6.5%). Other workers who receive service charges without fixed pay decreased by 23,000 (1.8%) from a year earlier. By size, workers at enterprises with fewer than 300 employees increased by 132,000 (0.8%) from a year earlier, and those with 300 or more rose by 41,000 (1.2%).
The number of job vacancies was 149,000, down 111,000 from the same period a year earlier. A job vacancy is a position currently recruiting that can start within a month. The number of hires last month was 938,000, up 55,000 (6.2%) from the same period a year earlier. The number of separations was 911,000, up 81,000 (9.7%).
In January this year, total wages per worker at enterprises with at least one regular employee were 4,588,000 won, down 378,000 won (7.6%) from a year earlier. The labor ministry said this was because the Lunar New Year holiday, which was included in January last year, fell in February this year, reducing special bonuses such as holiday bonuses.