The number of temporary workers in South Korea fell by 0.3% year over year to approximately 4.76 million in August 2023, according to data released by Statistics Korea.

When compared to the previous month, the number of temporary workers rose by 1.71% in August 2023. The temporary employment data is not seasonally adjusted.

Further labour market data for South Korea showed that the unemployment rate marked 2.0% in August, down 0.1% year-on-year. Over the month, the unemployment rate fell by 0.7%.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate stood at 2.4%, down 0.4% over the month and down 0.2% over the year. According to Today Online, the 2.4% rate was the lowest rate since the data series began in 1999. 

In terms of employed persons, South Korea’s number of employed persons totalled 28.67 million persons in August, which went up 268,000 persons or 0.9% year-on-year.

By industry, the number of employed persons saw the biggest annual increase at 2.4%. On the other hand, mining and manufacturing saw a decline of 1.5%.

Meanwhile, the economically active population stood at 29.25 million persons in August, which grew 227,000 persons or 0.8% year-on-year.

South Korea’s labour force participation rate stood at 64.4% in August, up 0.3% year-on-year.

The country’s economically inactive population totalled 16.16 million people in August, decreasing 83,000 persons or 0.5% year-on-year.