South Korea’s youth share in the total labor force fell to its lowest level ever while the senior proportion hit a new high last month, reflecting a structural shift in the country’s job market from demographic changes.
According to Statistics Korea on Tuesday, young people aged 15 to 29 accounted for 14.6 percent of total employment in October. This amounted to 3.93 million of the total 26.9 million with jobs, down 52,000 from a year earlier. Employment in the young age group has been declining for the fifth straight month and last month fell by the largest amount since August 2013.
Seniors over 60 made up 16.4 percent of the total labor force last month, growing for the third straight month and up by 252,000 on year to reach 4.39 million. The growth pace of this age group has been accelerating in recent years as the number of job additions had been fewer than 200,000 two years ago.
The shifts in the job market reflect the country’s demographic changes from low birth rate and graying society, explained Statistics Korea.
By Yoon Won-sup and Kim Hyo-jin
[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]