The number of non-regular workers has surpassed 8.67 million, marking the highest level since statistics began in 2003. The proportion of non-regular workers among wage earners has also reached a record high of 38.5%. The average monthly wage for non-regular workers increased by only 1.1% compared to the previous year, and the enrollment rates for social insurance and benefits did not show significant improvement.
According to the National Data Agency's report on the 'August 2026 Economic Activity Population Survey by Employment Type' released on October 21, the total number of wage earners in August was 22.526 million, an increase of 113,000 from the same month last year. Among them, regular workers numbered 13.855 million, up by 10,000, while non-regular workers totaled 8.671 million, an increase of 103,000. The share of non-regular workers among wage earners rose by 0.3 percentage points compared to a year ago.
By type, the number of temporary workers reached 6.035 million, an increase of 187,000 from the previous year. Among these, fixed-term workers accounted for 5.497 million, up by 160,000. Part-time workers also increased to 4.382 million, an increase of 152,000. In contrast, the number of non-standard workers decreased by 48,000 to 1.786 million. Note that the statistics by type may overlap.
In terms of age, non-regular workers aged 60 and older numbered 3.18 million, the highest among age groups, increasing by 135,000 from the previous year and driving the overall increase in non-regular workers. The number of non-regular workers in their 30s rose by 39,000, while those in their 50s increased by 11,000; other age groups saw declines. By industry, the health and social welfare sector had the largest number of non-regular workers at 1.867 million, an increase of 112,000 from the previous year. The accommodation and food service sector also saw an increase of 43,000.
Regarding working conditions, the average monthly wage for non-regular workers over the past three months was 2.112 million won, an increase of 24,000 won (1.1%) compared to the same period last year. The average monthly wage for regular workers was 4.052 million won, up by 156,000 won (4.0%). Consequently, the wage gap between the two groups widened to 1.94 million won compared to the previous year. Excluding part-time workers, the average monthly wage for non-regular workers was 3.098 million won, an increase of 61,000 won (2.0%). However, this figure does not account for the number of working days or hours.
The average tenure for non-regular workers at their current jobs is three years, an increase of one month from the previous year. The average weekly working hours also rose by 1.3 hours to 29.5 hours. The proportion of non-regular workers who voluntarily chose their job type increased to 68.0%, up by 0.2 percentage points.
On the other hand, enrollment rates for social insurance varied by category. The national pension enrollment rate was 36.5%, and the health insurance enrollment rate was 53.0%, both down by 0.6 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively. The employment insurance enrollment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 54.0%. The rates for retirement benefits, bonuses, overtime pay, and paid holidays were 45.7%, 39.2%, 31.1%, and 38.4%, all showing declines compared to the same month last year.
A Ministry of Finance official stated, "It is important to consider the increase in part-time workers, who generally have shorter working hours, among non-regular workers. The rise in the number of workers aged 60 and older and those in the health and social welfare sector, which has a high proportion of non-regular workers, also appears to have contributed to the overall increase in non-regular workers."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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