S. Korea adds 193,000 jobs in October; youth employment remains weak

South Korea Adds 193,000 Jobs in October Amid Mixed Employment Trends

South Korea’s labor market showed continued growth in October, adding 193,000 jobs compared to the previous year and reaching 29.04 million employed. This increase reflects a steady recovery in employment after a dip in December, when 52,000 jobs were lost.

Employment Trends Throughout 2025

The country’s job market has experienced a generally upward trajectory this year, with monthly job gains fluctuating as follows:

Sectoral Challenges Persist

Despite overall employment growth, the manufacturing and construction sectors continued to lose jobs in October. Manufacturing, a crucial part of the economy, shed 51,000 jobs compared to a year earlier, marking 16 consecutive months of decline. Similarly, construction lost 123,000 jobs, extending its downward trend to 18 months.

Age Group Employment Shifts

The job gains in October were primarily among older workers, while younger groups faced setbacks:

"The labor market has shown steady recovery this year, adding 245,000 jobs in May before moderating to 183,000 in June and then jumping to 312,000 in September."
"The manufacturing sector... shed 51,000 jobs in October, extending its downturn to a 16th consecutive month."
"The construction industry also continued to struggle, losing 123,000 jobs to continue its decline for the 18th straight month."
"Employment among those aged 60 and older surged by 334,000 from a year earlier."

These figures highlight a labor market that is improving overall but faces persistent challenges in key sectors and among younger workers.

Author's summary: South Korea’s October job growth reflects steady recovery driven by older workers, while manufacturing, construction, and youth employment continue to decline, revealing an uneven labor market.

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qazinform.com qazinform.com — 2025-11-12

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