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Weekly Focus | Economic Trends: South Korea’s Job Market Surges with 113,000 New Jobs
South Korea recorded 113,000 additional jobs in September 2026, marking the third consecutive month of employment growth exceeding 100,000, despite persistent challenges in youth employment and several key industries.
According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on October 16, the total number of employed people reached 29.26 million, up from 29.15 million a year earlier. The unemployment rate stood at 2.0%, down 0.1 percentage point year-on-year, while the overall employment rate declined slightly to 63.5%.
The healthcare and social welfare sector led job creation, adding 207,000 positions, while manufacturing gained 16,000 jobs, ending 26 consecutive months of decline. The arts, sports, and recreation sector also recorded an increase of 19,000 jobs.
However, several industries continued to face difficulties. Accommodation and food services lost 97,000 jobs, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries shed 94,000 positions, and construction employment declined by 48,000.
Meanwhile, the youth employment rate fell to 44.0%, down 1.1 percentage points year-on-year, highlighting ongoing challenges for younger workers entering the labor market.
These developments reflect a shifting employment landscape in South Korea, with growing demand in healthcare and signs of recovery in manufacturing, alongside continued pressure on labor-intensive industries. For businesses operating in Korea, talent development, workforce adaptation, and recruitment strategies remain key considerations.
Sources: Yonhap News Agency, October 16, 2026; The Korea Times, October 16, 2026.
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