In the first half of this year, it is projected that jobs in three sectors, including shipbuilding, semiconductors, and automobiles, among the country's top 10 manufacturing industries, will increase compared to last year. In contrast, jobs in textiles are expected to decline, while the remaining industries are anticipated to maintain last year's levels.
The Korea Employment Information Service and the Korea Industrial Technology Promotion Agency announced on the 17th the 'Employment Outlook for Major Industries in the First Half of 2025.'
The sectors targeted in the employment outlook announced by the two agencies include the country's top 10 industries: ▲ Machinery ▲ Shipbuilding ▲ Electronics ▲ Textiles ▲ Steel ▲ Semiconductors ▲ Automobiles ▲ Displays ▲ Metalworking ▲ Petroleum and Chemicals.
The employment forecast by sector is based on data from insured persons under employment insurance and labor force surveys of enterprises. This is calculated by dividing the forecasted change in employment this year by last year's employment figures and multiplying by 100.
If the resulting growth rate is above 1.5%, it is considered 'increase'; if between -1.5% and 1.5%, it is considered 'maintain'; and if below -1.5%, it is considered 'decrease.'
The sectors expected to see an increase in jobs in the first half of the year are shipbuilding (4.1%), semiconductors (2.2%), and automobiles (1.6%).
Shipbuilding is expected to positively impact job growth due to an increase in demand for eco-friendly ships as global ship orders rise this year. Additionally, semiconductors are anticipated to see employment growth driven by increased demand for high-value memory in line with the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) market.
Automobiles are projected to drive job growth through the launch of various new models and the expansion of eco-friendly vehicles.
In contrast, the textile sector is expected to see a decrease in jobs due to strengthened global protectionism and the transfer of production facilities by original equipment manufacturers (OEM) overseas.
Moreover, the remaining sectors of machinery, electronics, steel, displays, metalworking, and petroleum and chemicals are projected to maintain a similar level of employment as last year.