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South Korea Jobless Rate Falls to 3% in Jan
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 3% in January 2026 from a downwardly revised 3.3% in December which was the highest in a year. The number of unemployed rose to 1.21 million, up 128,000 people, or 11.8%, from a year earlier, but slightly below December’s 1.22 million. The economy added 108,000 jobs in January, lifting total employment by 0.4% year-on-year to 27.99 million. This was the slowest pace of job growth in 13 months after employment contracted by 52,000 in December 2024, underscoring persistent weakness in manufacturing and construction. Youth unemployment fell for a 21st consecutive month, highlighting ongoing structural challenges in the labor market for younger workers. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged up 0.2% year-on-year to 63.6% but eased from 64.1% in December, pointing to some softening in workforce engagement.
Published on 2026-02-10

South Korea Jobless Rate Hits Near 5-Year High
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 4% in December 2025, extending its rise for a third straight month and reaching its highest level in nearly five years. Unemployment typically rises in December as cold weather and icy conditions slow outdoor work. Seasonal pauses in construction, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, along with the end of government-funded job programs, also contribute. The number of unemployed people rose to 1.22 million, up 103,000 or 9.2% year-on-year. Despite the weaker labor backdrop, the economy added 168,000 jobs, a 0.6% increase from a year earlier, bringing total employment to 28.2 million. However, that figure fell sharply from 29.71 million in November, highlighting recent labor market softening. The labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, up 0.2% from a year ago but down from 64.8% in the prior month, signaling reduced workforce engagement at year end.
Published on 2026-01-13

South Korea Jobless Rate Hits Near 5-Year High
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 4% in December 2025, extending its rise for a third straight month and reaching its highest level in nearly five years. The number of unemployed people rose to 1.22 million, up 103,000 or 9.2% year-on-year. Despite the weaker labor backdrop, the economy added 168,000 jobs, a 0.6% increase from a year earlier, bringing total employment to 28.2 million. However, that figure fell sharply from 29.71 million in November, highlighting recent labor market softening. The labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, up 0.2% from a year ago but down from 64.8% in the prior month, signaling reduced workforce engagement at year end.
Published on 2026-01-13

South Korea Jobless Rate Hits Near 5-Year High
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 4% in December 2025, extending its rise for a third straight month and reaching its highest level in nearly five years. Unemployment typically rises in December as cold weather and icy conditions slow outdoor work. Seasonal pauses in construction, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, along with the end of government-funded job programs, also contribute. The number of unemployed people rose to 1.22 million, up 103,000 or 9.2% year-on-year. Despite the weaker labor backdrop, the economy added 168,000 jobs, a 0.6% increase from a year earlier, bringing total employment to 28.2 million. However, that figure fell sharply from 29.71 million in November, highlighting recent labor market softening. The labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, up 0.2% from a year ago but down from 64.8% in the prior month, signaling reduced workforce engagement at year end.
Published on 2026-01-13

South Korea Jobless Rate Rises to 2.7% in Nov
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in November 2025, marking a second straight monthly increase after readings of 2.5% in September and 2.6% in October. The number of unemployed reached 661 thousand, up 5 thousand or 0.7% year-on-year. Manufacturing and construction employment continued to weaken, while youth employment recorded its 19th consecutive month of on-year decline. Still, the economy added 225 thousand jobs in November, up 0.8% from a year earlier, lifting total employment to 29.706 million. The gain reflects a steady upward trend in job creation this year following a brief setback last December, when the country shed 52 thousand jobs. The labor force participation rate came in at 64.8%, up 0.2% from a year ago.
Published on 2025-12-09

South Korea Jobless Rate Rises in October
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 2.6% in October 2025 from 2.5% in September, matching August’s level. The economy added 193,000 jobs during the month, extending this year’s steady employment gains and bringing the total number of employed people to 29.04 million. However, youth employment fell for the 18th straight month, while jobs in manufacturing and construction continued to decline. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed persons stood at 658,000 in October, down 20,000 or 2.9% from a year earlier. The labor force participation rate rose by 173,000 or 0.6% year-on-year to 29.7 million.
Published on 2025-11-11

South Korea Jobless Rate Edges Lower in Sept
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 2.5% in September 2025 from 2.6% in August, returning to July’s level. The country added 312,000 jobs, marking the strongest employment gain in 19 months and bringing the total number of employed people to 29.15 million. Still, hiring in manufacturing and construction continued to decline, reflecting ongoing weakness in core sectors. The latest figures extended a steady recovery in employment following a brief setback last December, when 52,000 jobs were lost. Job creation gathered pace afterward, reaching a peak of 245,000 in May before easing to 183,000 in June, 171,000 in July, and 166,000 in August.
Published on 2025-10-16

South Korea Jobless Rate Edges Up to 2.6% in Aug
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up to 2.6% in August 2025 from 2.5% in July, matching June’s level. The number of unemployed rose to 592,000, up by 28,000 or 4.9% from a year earlier. At the same time, the country added 166,000 jobs, a 0.6% increase that lifted total employment to 28.97 million. August’s data underscored a steady recovery in hiring since December’s brief setback, when a net 52,000 positions were lost. Job growth has since gained momentum, peaking at 245,000 in May before easing to 183,000 in June and 171,000 in July. Still, manufacturing and construction employment continued to contract, reflecting sustained weakness in major industries, while younger workers faced further declines in labor market participation.
Published on 2025-09-09

South Korea Jobless Rate Falls to 2.5% in July
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in July 2025, marking a second consecutive monthly decline after 2.7% in May and 2.6% in June. The number of unemployed decreased to 726,000, down 11,000 or 1.5% from a year earlier. Employment rose by 171,000, or 0.6%, to 29.03 million over the same period. The labor force participation rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 65%, indicating continued strength in labor market engagement. The data highlight the resilience of South Korea’s job market despite persistent global economic headwinds.
Published on 2025-08-12

South Korea Jobless Rate Dips to 2.6% in June
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged lower to 2.6% in June 2025, down from 2.7% in the previous month. The number of unemployed individuals fell to 825,000, marking a year-on-year decline of 32,000 people, or 3.8%. Meanwhile, the number of employed persons rose to 29.091 million, an increase of 183,000 or 0.6% compared to the same month last year. The labor force participation rate reached 65.4%, up 0.1 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting continued strength in labor market engagement. The figures suggest a resilient job market despite global economic headwinds.
Published on 2025-07-15

South Korea Jobless Rate Stays at 2.7% in May
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.7% in May 2025, marking the third time this year it has held at that level. The number of unemployed individuals fell by 3.6% year-over-year (down 32,000), totaling 853,000 for the month. Meanwhile, employment figures showed growth, with the number of employed people rising by 0.8% (an increase of 245,000) to 29.16 million compared to May 2024. The labor force participation rate also inched up to 65.6% from 65.1% in April.
Published on 2025-06-10

South Korea Jobless Rate Drops to 2.7% in April
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2.7% in April 2025, down from 2.9% in March, returning to the same level recorded in February. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 3.4% year-on-year, or 31,000 people, bringing the total to 854,000 in April. At the same time, the number of employed persons rose by 0.7%, or 194,000, reaching 28.89 million compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged up to 65.1% in April, up from 64.6% in March.
Published on 2025-05-13

South Korea Jobless Rate Rises to 2.9% in March
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.9% in March 2025 from 2.7% in February, marking the first increase in three months. The slight deterioration in employment conditions came ahead of the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which included a 25% levy on South Korean goods. South Korea is also set to hold its presidential election in June following the ouster of President Yoon over his brief imposition of martial law, reducing political uncertainty. The number of unemployed increased by 3% or 26,000 to .92 million in March from a year ago. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate climbed to 64.6% in March, reflecting a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Published on 2025-04-09

South Korea's Jobless Rate Falls to 2.7% in February
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.7% in February 2025, marking its second consecutive monthly decline after readings of 3.7% in December and 2.9% in January. The improvement suggests a recovering labor market following last year’s brief disruption caused by the short-lived martial law attempt. The number of employed individuals rose by 136,000, or 0.5% year-on-year, reaching 28.179 million in February. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate inched up to 63.7%, reflecting a 0.1 percentage point increase from the previous year.
Published on 2025-03-12

South Korea's Jobless Rate Drops to 2.9% in January
South Korea's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.9% in January 2025, down from a three-year high of 3.7% in December. This decline signals a recovery in the labor market following the temporary disruption caused by the short-lived martial law attempt late last year. In January, the number of employed individuals reached 27.878 million, an increase of 135,000 people, or 0.5%, compared to the same month in the previous year. Additionally, the labor force participation rate rose to 63.4%, marking a 0.1% increase year-on-year.
Published on 2025-02-13

South Korea's Jobless Rate Surges to 3-Year High
South Korea's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.7% in December 2024, the highest level since December 2021, as economic uncertainty and political turmoil weighed heavily on sentiment. December was the month of the short-lived attempt at martial law in South Korea. This latest figure represents a sharp increase from 2.7% in the previous two months. The number of employed persons declined by 52,000 in December compared to the previous year, reversing a gain of 123,000 in November. This marked the first decline in employment since February 2021.
Published on 2025-01-15

South Korea's Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 2.7% in November
South Korea's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.7% in November 2024, the same level as October, which marked the highest rate since June. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 21,000, or 3.1% year-on-year, bringing the total to 656,000. Meanwhile, employment grew by 123,000, or 0.4% year-on-year, reaching 28.821 million people. The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate remained steady at 64.6% in October, unchanged from the same period last year.
Published on 2024-12-10

South Korea Jobless Rate Climbs to 2.7% in October
South Korea's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in October 2024, marking an increase for the second consecutive month, up from 2.5% in September. The number of unemployed individuals grew by 51,000, or 8.5%, compared to the same month last year, bringing the total to 678,000. Meanwhile, employment saw a modest increase, with the number of employed persons rising by 83,000, or 0.3%, to reach 28.847 million. The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate held steady at 64.7% in October, unchanged from the same period a year earlier.
Published on 2024-11-12

South Korea Jobless Rate Rises to 2.5% in Sept
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in South Korea edged up to 2.5% in September 2024 from a one-year low of 2.4% in August. The number of unemployed persons declined by 39,000 or 5.9% year-on-year to 622,000. The number of employed persons also totaled 28.842 million, up 144,000 or 0.5% from a year ago. The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate stood at 64.5% in September, remaining the same year-on-year.
Published on 2024-10-15

South Korea Jobless Rate Falls to 2.4% in August
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in South Korea edged down to 2.4% in August 2024 from 2.5% in July. It was the lowest reading in a year as the number of unemployed persons fell to 564K in August, a year-on-year decline by 9K or 1.6%. The number of employed persons also totaled 28.801 million in August, which went up 123K or 0.4% from a year earlier. The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate stood at 63.2% in August, up 0.1% year-on-year.
Published on 2024-09-10