2nd baby boomers (born between 1964 and 1974) are experiencing increased job insecurity as they transition from their primary employment. The proportion of temporary workers rose from 7.5% in their main jobs to 16.7% in subsequent positions, more than doubling. As they approach retirement age, there are calls to not only increase reemployment opportunities but also to improve job quality.
According to a report published on August 10 by the Korea Employment Information Service, the labor force participation rate for second baby boomers was 81.3% in 2024, significantly higher than the overall rate of 60.8% for those aged 15 and older. Among approximately 6.476 million employed individuals, 80.1% reported that their current job was their main employment, while 19.9% had left their primary jobs for other positions.
There were notable differences in employment types before and after leaving their main jobs. The share of temporary workers among second baby boomers in their primary jobs was 7.5%, but this increased to 16.7% in other jobs, a rise of 9.2 percentage points. Conversely, the proportion of permanent workers decreased from 49.6% to 47.3%.
The nature of the jobs also changed. The percentage of those in simple labor roles increased from 6.7% in their main jobs to 12.8% after leaving. Meanwhile, the share of professionals and related workers dropped from 18.9% to 15.9%. The number of workers in machinery operation and assembly roles rose from 12.8% to 16.2%.
Changes were also observed in the industries where these individuals found employment after leaving their main jobs. The share in business facility management and support services nearly doubled from 2.7% to 5.1%. The construction sector increased from 8.8% to 10.5%, and transportation and warehousing rose from 5.5% to 8.5%.
The increase was even more pronounced in health and social welfare services, which rose from 6.3% in main jobs to 12.7% in subsequent positions. The accommodation and food service sector also saw an increase from 7.5% to 8.8%.
In contrast, the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sectors, which had previously held a significant share in main jobs, saw declines. Manufacturing dropped from 16.0% to 13.3%, while wholesale and retail fell from 17.2% to 14.2%.
With the increase in temporary workers and simple labor roles after leaving their main jobs, there is a pressing need to ensure not only the quantity of reemployment but also the stability and quality of jobs that utilize existing skills.
Park Jin-hee, a researcher at the Korea Employment Information Service, noted, "A significant number of second baby boomers are experiencing downward mobility in their careers as they transition to new jobs. It is essential to support job connections and provide retraining opportunities to prevent the waste of their existing experience and skills."
She added, "The focus on short-term job supply in the public sector or social services could lead to repeated job changes and unemployment within a few months or 1-2 years. It is crucial to encourage companies of a certain size to actively utilize experienced older workers."
According to a report published on August 10 by the Korea Employment Information Service, the labor force participation rate for second baby boomers was 81.3% in 2024, significantly higher than the overall rate of 60.8% for those aged 15 and older. Among approximately 6.476 million employed individuals, 80.1% reported that their current job was their main employment, while 19.9% had left their primary jobs for other positions.
There were notable differences in employment types before and after leaving their main jobs. The share of temporary workers among second baby boomers in their primary jobs was 7.5%, but this increased to 16.7% in other jobs, a rise of 9.2 percentage points. Conversely, the proportion of permanent workers decreased from 49.6% to 47.3%.
The nature of the jobs also changed. The percentage of those in simple labor roles increased from 6.7% in their main jobs to 12.8% after leaving. Meanwhile, the share of professionals and related workers dropped from 18.9% to 15.9%. The number of workers in machinery operation and assembly roles rose from 12.8% to 16.2%.
Changes were also observed in the industries where these individuals found employment after leaving their main jobs. The share in business facility management and support services nearly doubled from 2.7% to 5.1%. The construction sector increased from 8.8% to 10.5%, and transportation and warehousing rose from 5.5% to 8.5%.
The increase was even more pronounced in health and social welfare services, which rose from 6.3% in main jobs to 12.7% in subsequent positions. The accommodation and food service sector also saw an increase from 7.5% to 8.8%.
In contrast, the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sectors, which had previously held a significant share in main jobs, saw declines. Manufacturing dropped from 16.0% to 13.3%, while wholesale and retail fell from 17.2% to 14.2%.
With the increase in temporary workers and simple labor roles after leaving their main jobs, there is a pressing need to ensure not only the quantity of reemployment but also the stability and quality of jobs that utilize existing skills.
Park Jin-hee, a researcher at the Korea Employment Information Service, noted, "A significant number of second baby boomers are experiencing downward mobility in their careers as they transition to new jobs. It is essential to support job connections and provide retraining opportunities to prevent the waste of their existing experience and skills."
She added, "The focus on short-term job supply in the public sector or social services could lead to repeated job changes and unemployment within a few months or 1-2 years. It is crucial to encourage companies of a certain size to actively utilize experienced older workers."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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