Key Points
- South Korea’s job growth slowed in 2025, with 193,000 new jobs added.
- The manufacturing and construction sectors both lost a significant number of jobs.
- The health and social welfare services sector was the biggest source of new employment.
- Jobs for people over 60 increased, while jobs for those in their 20s fell.
South Korea’s job market is showing signs of a slowdown. The country added 193,000 new jobs in 2025, the second consecutive year in which growth has been in the 100,000 range. This is a far cry from the post-pandemic boom of 2022, when the economy created over 800,000 new positions.
The primary reason for the slowdown is a persistent decline in the manufacturing and construction sectors. The construction industry lost 125,000 jobs in 2025, and the manufacturing sector, which is the backbone of the South Korean economy, shed 73,000 positions.
While these traditional industries are struggling, other sectors are filling the gap. The health and social welfare services sector added a massive 237,000 new jobs. Professional, scientific, and technical services also saw a healthy increase.
The data also shows a significant generational divide. Employment for people aged 60 and older rose by 345,000, while jobs for those in their 20s fell by 170,000. This is partly due to a shrinking youth population, but it also reflects a challenging job market for young people.
The slowdown was particularly noticeable at the end of the year. In December, the country added only 168,000 jobs, a sharp drop from the 225,000 added in November and the smallest increase since August.
Despite the slowing pace of job creation, the overall employment rate increased slightly in 2025, and the rate for the key 15-64 age group reached nearly 70%. Still, the latest data indicate an economy in transition, with growth shifting from its traditional industrial base to the service sector.
