The total number of workers at enterprises with at least one employee last month increased by more than 200,000 from a year earlier. It was the seventh straight month of gains. The rise was led by enterprises with fewer than 300 employees and by health and social welfare services, such as the care industry.
According to the "March enterprise labor survey results" that the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) released on the 30th, enterprise employees last month totaled 20,414,000. That was up 225,000 (1.1%) from March last year. Enterprise employment has been increasing since September last year, and the growth in the latest month was the largest since May 2024.
By size of corporations, the number of employees at enterprises with 300 or more regular workers was 3,531,000, up 55,000 (1.6%) from a year earlier. The number of employees at enterprises with fewer than 300 regular workers was 16,883,000, an increase of 170,000 (1%).
By industry, health and social welfare services increased by 124,000 (5%). Professional, scientific and technical services rose by 24,000 (1.7%), and transportation and warehousing grew by 17,000 (2.2%). In contrast, construction fell by 11,000 (-0.8%). Wholesale and retail declined by 8,000 (-0.4%), and arts, sports and leisure-related services decreased by 4,000 (-1.3%).
As of February, total wage aggregates per employee at enterprises with at least one regular worker were 4,849,000 won, up 732,000 won (17.8%) from a year earlier. Last year, the Lunar New Year holiday was in January, but this year it was in February, which included holiday bonuses and the like. Real wages, reflecting price levels, were 4,095,000 won, up 548,000 won (15.5%) over the same period.