The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's annual workforce survey reported that the nation's industrial technology workforce totaled approximately 1.72 million in 2023, reflecting a modest 1 percent increase from the previous year.
The survey, conducted from July 29 to October 18, analyzed 21,086 businesses with at least 10 employees, assessing employment levels and workforce shortages across 12 major industries.
While most industries reported growth, workforce declines were noted in the textile and display sectors. Semiconductor and bio-health industries, in contrast, experienced robust growth rates of 4.4 percent and 4 percent, respectively, underscoring their status as key drivers of South Korea’s industrial future.
The survey highlighted a significant shift in hiring trends. Experienced workers comprised 54.8 percent of new hires in 2023, up 4.4 percentage points over the past four years, while entry-level recruitment fell to 45 percent during the same period.
"Workforce shortages in major industries have remained relatively stable over the past five years, averaging between 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points," the ministry noted. "However, higher shortage rates of 3 to 4 percent persist in the software, bio-health, chemical, and textile sectors."
The total number of job seekers across these industries rose by 1.4 percent to 155,987, with successful placements increasing by 2.1 percent to 148,636. Early resignation rates within the first year of employment continued to decline, marking the fourth consecutive year of improvement - a positive sign for workforce stability.
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