Employment rate of women in South Korea rises

The increase in female employment in South Korea has been attributed to more women returning to the workplace after the pandemic.
By: | November 24, 2023
Topics: News | Recruitment | South Korea | Talent Management

As more women return to the workforce, the employment of women in South Korea hit an all-time high this October. 

The employment rate of women between the age of 15 and 64, commonly seen as the working age population, stood at 61.9% in October, according to a report submitted by the Korea Labour Institute to the Ministry of Employment and Labour this week. The rate of employment for women has been on an upward curve, rising from 58.6% in 2021 to 60.4% in 2022.  A highlight can be seen from the employment rate for women in their 30s who have children, which has risen 2% points from the second half of last year and after falling in 2020 and 2021.

This rise in employment comes as women who had stayed at home to take care of their children during the pandemic have rejoined the workforce this year.

The rate of career breaks among unemployed women in their 30s with children also fell by 7.5% in six years to 69.8% in the first half of last year from 77.3% in the first half of 2016.

READ MORE: South Korea’s ageing workforce filling labour shortage gap

“We will continue to build a labour market environment that is compatible with work and family by expanding maternity protection programs and promoting flexible work,” said Lee Sung-hee, Vice Minister of Employment, reported Pulse News.