In April this year, the number of regular subscribers to employment insurance increased, marking the lowest level for April since 2000, a span of five years. The number and amount of unemployment benefit recipients reached their highest levels in four years since April 2021.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced these details on the 12th in its report titled 'Labor Market Trends Based on Employment Administration Statistics.'
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's announcement on that day, as of the end of April, the number of regular subscribers to employment insurance was 15,538,000, an increase of 184,000 (1.2%) compared to the same month last year.
By industry, while the manufacturing and service sectors increased, the construction industry saw a decline.
The number of subscribers in the manufacturing industry was 3,849,000, which is an increase of 6,000 (0.2%) compared to the same month last year. The increase was mainly in automobiles, other transportation equipment, and chemical products. Conversely, within manufacturing, textiles, metal processing, and machinery showed decreases.
However, excluding the increase in the number of foreign workers automatically enrolled under the employment permit system, the number of employment insurance subscribers in the manufacturing sector decreased by 14,000. This indicates that the number of domestic subscribers in manufacturing has declined, continuing a trend that has lasted for 19 months.
The number of subscribers to employment insurance in the service sector was 10,788,000, which is an increase of 198,000 (1.9%) compared to the same month last year. This increase was primarily seen in health and social services, business services, professional sciences, and food and accommodation, but the information and communication sector continued to decline.
The number of subscribers in the construction industry was 754,000, which is a decrease of 20,000 compared to the same month last year. This demonstrates a decline for 21 consecutive months, primarily in general construction.
By gender, the number of male employment insurance subscribers was 8,568,000, an increase of 37,000 compared to the same month last year. Female subscribers also increased to 6,970,000, which is an increase of 146,000.
By age group, the number of subscribers in their 30s and 50s, as well as those over 60, increased. In contrast, those aged 29 and younger and those in their 40s saw a decrease. The drop in employment insurance subscribers aged 29 and under has now continued for 34 months, while it has been 20 months for those in their 40s.
In April, the number of new applicants for unemployment benefits was 103,000, marking an increase of 2,000 (2%) compared to the same month last year.
The number of recipients of unemployment benefits was 703,000, an increase of 40,000 (6.1%) compared to the same month last year. The total amount of unemployment benefits paid was 1.1571 trillion won, which is an increase of 102.5 billion won (9.7%) compared to the same month last year. Both the number of recipients and the amount paid are the highest since April 2021.
In March, the number of new applicants for unemployment benefits was 137,000. This represents an increase of 6,000 (4.6%) compared to the same month last year. The number of recipients was 693,000, which is an increase of 38,000 (5.9%) compared to the same month last year. The amount of unemployment benefits paid increased by 81.5 billion won (8.4%) to 1.051 trillion won. March's figures for recipients and payment amounts were the highest since March 2021.
The number of new job openings using the Ministry of Employment and Labor's integrated job service platform, Job 24, was 165,000, a decrease of 45,000 (22.8%) compared to the same month last year. The number of new job seekers increased by 16,000 (4.2%) to 386,000.
The job vacancy ratio, which reflects the number of job openings per job seeker, was 0.43, lower than the same month last year (0.59). This is the lowest level since April 2020, indicating that for every 10 job seekers, there are about 4 jobs.
Chun Kyung-gi, Director of the Future Employment Analysis Division at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, noted, "In April, the increase in employment insurance subscribers is gradually expanding, and the unemployment benefit situation is slightly easing compared to last month," adding, "The growth in unemployment benefit recipients has been declining since January this year, suggesting that the employment situation is improving."