Employment in South Korea decreased by 0.10 in May of 2026. Employment Change in South Korea averaged 1.67 Percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 9.59 Percent in February of 1987 and a record low of -7.42 Percent in August of 1998. source: Kostat



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 29120.00 28961.00 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change -0.10 0.30 Percent May 2026
Employment Rate 62.50 62.70 percent May 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 65.20 64.90 percent May 2026
Minimum Wages 10320.00 10030.00 KRW/Hour Dec 2026
Population 51.68 51.75 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 102.00 97.80 points Dec 2025
Retirement Age Men 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2026
Retirement Age Women 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2026
Unemployed Persons 878.00 853.00 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.80 2.80 percent May 2026
Wages 4708760.00 4531450.00 KRW/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 5414003.00 5045058.00 KRW/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 7.20 7.10 percent May 2026


South Korea Employment Change
Employment Change in South Korea refers to year-over-year changes in the number of employed people 15 years of age or older, who worked to earn income at least an hour at the reference period.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.10 0.30 9.59 -7.42 1983 - 2026 Percent Monthly
NSA