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Record 'Resting' Count Signals Strain in South Korea’s Job Market

Officials report 16.22 million were economically inactive in August, with the inactivity share at a record low due to more older workers.

Overview

  • The number reporting they were “resting” reached 2.64 million in August, up 73,000 year over year and the highest August reading on record.
  • Among people aged 15 to 29, 34.1% cited inability to find the kind of job they want, and 9.9% said no jobs were available.
  • Non-salary workers fell by 103,000 to 6.554 million, the steepest decline since August 2020, reflecting fewer self-employed and unpaid family workers.
  • About 3.30 million of the inactive population said they hoped to find work or start a business within a year, equal to 20.4%, down slightly from last year.
  • The state-run KDI warned that rising numbers of young people stepping back from job searches help keep unemployment low and could erode social cohesion.