In March, the number of employees in enterprises in the country turned to a downward trend after a month. Previously, in February, it had returned to an upward trend for the first time in 46 months, but it has decreased since then. The slowdown in the increase of the manufacturing sector, which has the largest share of employees among all industries, and the fact that the construction industry has seen a decline for nine consecutive months have contributed to this.
On the 29th, the Ministry of Employment announced the results of the 'March 2025 Enterprise Labor Force Survey' containing this information.
According to the Ministry of Employment's announcement that day, as of March this year, there were 20,038,000 employees in enterprises with one or more employees, a decrease of 2,000 from the same month last year (20,040,000).
By employment status, the number of regular employees in March this year was 16,833,000, an increase of 23,000 (0.1%) from the same month last year. In contrast, the number of temporary and daily workers decreased to 1,979,000, down by 1,000, while the number of other employees decreased by 24,000 (1.9%) to 1,226,000.
By size, the number of regular employees in enterprises with fewer than 300 employees was 16,651,000, a decrease of 23,000 (0.1%). Those with 300 or more employees increased to 3,386,000, an increase of 21,000 (0.6%).
By industry, there were increases in the health and social welfare services (96,000 employees, 4.1%), professional, scientific, and technical services (20,000 employees, 1.5%), and real estate (18,000 employees, 3.9%). In the manufacturing sector, which has the largest share of employees among all industries, only 1,000 employees increased. In March last year, the number of employees in manufacturing increased by 5,000 compared to the previous year, and in March 2023, it rose by 58,000.
The number of employees in the construction industry has been in decline for nine months since July last year. In March, it decreased by 100,000 (6.7%). Beginning with a decrease of 22,000 in July last year, the decline has widened, recording around 100,000 this year. Previously, the number decreased by 114,000 in January and by 82,000 in February.
Additionally, the wholesale and retail industry saw a decrease of 34,000 (1.5%), while the accommodation and food services industry dropped by 19,000 (1.6%).
The number of entrants in March was 1,200,000, an increase of 20,000 (1.7%) compared to the same month last year. The number of exits was 1,127,000, reflecting an increase of 39,000 (3.6%).
Meanwhile, as of February, the total wage per worker in enterprises with one or more regular employees was 4,117,000 won. This reflects a decrease of 5.4% (234,000 won) compared to the same month last year. The real wage per worker, adjusted for the cost of living, was 3,547,000 won in February, down 7.3% (277,000 won) from the same month last year. The Ministry of Employment noted that the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell in February last year, has been included in January this year, leading to a decrease in special bonuses such as holiday bonuses.
In February, the average working hours per worker in enterprises with one or more regular employees were 152 hours, an increase of 6.4 hours (4.4%) compared to the same month last year. The Ministry of Employment analyzed that this increase is due to the fact that the number of working days in February this year was 20, one day more than the same month last year.