In February 2025, the employment rate for those aged 15 and above was 61.7%, up 0.1%p from the previous year, marking the highest February figure on record. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 reached 68.9%, rising by 0.2 %p year-on-year, also a record high for February. The labor force participation rate stood at 63.7%, increasing by 0.1 %p from the previous year, the highest on record for February. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2% from a year ago.
* Employment Indicators for February (2024→2025, %): Employment rate 61.6 → 61.7 Labor force participation rate 63.6 → 63.7 Unemployment rate 3.2 → 3.2
By age group, the employment rate picked up for those in their 30s (80.2%, +1.1%p), 40s (78.8%, +0.6%p), and those aged 60 and over (44.3%, +0.9%p). However, the employment rate decreased for the youth (44.3%, -1.7%p) and those in their 50s (76.9%, -0.1%p).
The number of employed persons went up by 136,000 compared to the previous year. By industry, employment increased in the service sector (+349,000 → +401,000), while it declined in construction (-169,000 → -167,000), manufacturing (-56,000 → -74,000) and agriculture, forestry and fisheries (+7,000 → -19,000). By employment status, both regular (+224,000 → +233,000) and temporary workers (+72,000 → +36,000) continued to rise, while the decline in daily workers slowed (-116,000 → -92,000).
* Growth in the number of employed persons (year-on-year, ten thousand): (Q2, 2024) +14.6 (Q3) +14.6 (Q4) +5.2 (Dec) -5.2 (Jan, 2025) +13.5 (Feb) +13.6
The number of employed persons recorded double-digit growth for the second consecutive month, leading to the highest employment and labor force participation rates for February on record. In particular, employment growth in the service sector expanded, driven by increased demand for caregiving personnel and direct job creation programs, especially in the healthcare, welfare, and public administration sectors. However, employment in key industries remains sluggish due to the continued decline in construction and retail employment, reflecting delays in domestic demand recovery. Challenges also persist for vulnerable groups, including young job seekers.
The government plans to further strengthen efforts to create jobs in the private sector and ensure employment stability for vulnerable groups. It will strive to restore the domestic economy and improve people’s livelihoods by swiftly implementing key initiatives from the “People’s Livelihoods Improvement Plan Q1, 2025”, including measures related to employment, construction, and financial support for low-income households. At the same time, the government will make an all-out effort to support exports, thereby improving overall employment conditions. The employment issue resolution hotline established through the job creation agreement with the six major economic organizations will be fully operational, actively supporting job creation in the private sector; much endeavors will be made to create and spread a positive employment atmosphere by holding the Korea Job Fair (March 19th – 20th). Furthermore, initiatives to support vulnerable groups, such as youth, will continue to be devised and pushed forward through the Job Creation Task Force and the Meeting on Improving People’s Livelihoods.
Please refer to the attached files.
