In the fourth quarter of last year, wage worker jobs increased by about 220,000. The pace of job growth hit a low in the first quarter of last year (up 15,000) and then grew for three straight quarters in the second, third, and fourth, showing signs of recovery.
According to the "Wage worker job trends for the fourth quarter of 2025 (as of November)" that the Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) released on the 19th, the number of jobs in the fourth quarter of last year was 21,123,000, up 221,000 from a year earlier. A total of 2,356,000 new jobs were created, while 2,135,000 disappeared.
By industry, health and social welfare (up 126,000) saw the largest increase. In particular, jobs in this field used to grow mainly among people in their 50s and 60s, but what stands out in the fourth quarter of last year is a sharp inflow of women in their 30s (up 20,000).
Growth was also notable in accommodation and food services (up 40,000) and wholesale and retail (up 13,000). An official at the data agency said, "It is analyzed to be an effect of the increase in foreign tourists visiting Korea."
In contrast, manufacturing (down 14,000) and construction (down 88,000), which account for a large share of jobs, recorded declines for four and nine consecutive quarters, respectively.
By age, those 60 and older (up 246,000) saw the largest increase. They were followed by people in their 30s (up 99,000), which was the largest increase for that age group since related statistics began. In contrast, those 29 and under (down 111,000) and those in their 40s (down 37,000) saw job declines for 13 and 10 consecutive quarters, respectively.
As a share of total jobs, those in their 50s (23%) were the highest, followed by those in their 40s (22.2%), 30s (21.7%), 60 and older (19.5%), and 29 and under (13.6%). The share for those 29 and under was the lowest on record.