South Korea added 139,000 jobs in October, marking the fourth consecutive month with new employment exceeding 100,000 positions, according to government data released on the 11th. The unemployment rate fell to 2%, down 0.2 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025, with total unemployed persons at 602,000, a decrease of 56,000 year-over-year. Total employment reached 29.17 million in October, up from 29.04 million in the same month of 2025, reflecting sustained labor market expansion despite sectoral variations.
South Korea Adds 139,000 Jobs in October
South Korea's employment figures for October showed 29.17 million people employed, compared to 29.04 million in the same period of 2025. The country experienced a temporary setback in May when employment decreased by 40,000, the first decline in 17 months, but returned to positive growth in June.
The employment rate for individuals aged 15 to 64 reached 70.4%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.
Manufacturing and Construction Sectors Report Job Declines
Manufacturing employment decreased by 7,000 positions in October due to reduced job openings in textiles, automotive, and apparel industries. A government statistics official stated that it remains difficult to determine whether the October decline will continue into November, though industrial output in the manufacturing sector is expected to maintain stable growth.
Construction sector employment decreased by 42,000 positions during the same period.
Accommodation and food services employment fell by 137,000 in October, the largest decrease since February 2021, when the sector lost 232,000 positions. The government attributed the significant reduction to the previous year's subsidy policies that temporarily inflated employment numbers.
Youth Employment Rate Falls for 30th Consecutive Month
The employment rate for individuals aged 15 to 29 decreased by 1.7 percentage points to 42.9%, marking the 30th consecutive month of decline. Employment numbers for this age group decreased by 196,000 year-over-year, representing the 48th consecutive month of reduction.
Government Announces Employment Support Measures for Vulnerable Groups
The South Korean government stated it will prioritize improving employment conditions for vulnerable groups. Relevant departments will work together to develop job creation programs to ensure the 2026 targets are achieved, while also preparing measures for the following year.
FAQ
What was South Korea's unemployment rate in October?
South Korea's unemployment rate in October was 2%, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025. The total number of unemployed persons stood at 602,000, down 56,000 from the previous year.
Why did accommodation and food services employment decrease significantly in October?
Accommodation and food services employment fell by 137,000 in October, the largest decline since February 2021. The government explained that the significant reduction occurred because subsidy policies implemented in the previous year temporarily increased employment numbers in this sector.
