The number of jobs increased by 246,000 from a year earlier, marking the smallest third-quarter gain since 2018, Statistics Korea reported. The deceleration continues a downward trend from the 597,000 jobs added in 2022 and 346,000 in 2023.
The losses were particularly severe among younger and middle-aged workers.
Jobs for workers in their 20s declined by 146,000, while positions for those in their 40s dropped by 77,000 — the sharpest declines recorded since data collection began in 2017.
By contrast, employment among those aged 60 and older surged by 274,000. Workers in their 50s gained 119,000 jobs, while those in their 30s saw an increase of 66,000.
“While short-term employment opportunities have expanded for older workers, major industries are slowing their hiring, exacerbating job losses among younger workers and those in their 40s,” said Choi Jae-hyuk, deputy director of statistical research at Statistics Korea.
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