The average hourly wage of female workers was found to be 71% of that of males, according to a survey conducted on the 16th. The career interruption phenomenon among women in their 30s has eased.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the '2024 White Paper on Women's Economic Activities' containing these findings. The average hourly wage for female workers (including both regular and non-regular) in 2023 was 18,502 won, with a monthly wage of 2,783,000 won. The average hourly wage for male workers was 26,042 won, with a monthly wage of 4,260,000 won.
The employment rate for women reached a record high of 54.1% in 2023. The number of employed women was 12,464,000. The employment rate for men was 71.3%, with 15,952,000 employed men.
As the employment rate for women in their 30s rises due to low birth rates, the 'M curve' has eased. In 2023, the employment rate for women aged 30 to 34 was 71.3%, and for those aged 35 to 39, it was 64.7%. This reflects an increase of 14.6 percentage points and 10.3 percentage points, respectively, compared to 10 years ago. The employment rate for women increases in their 20s, decreases during marriage and childbirth in their 30s, and rises again in their 40s and 50s. When graphed, it resembles the letter 'M,' hence the name M curve.