The number of temporary workers in South Korea increased by 3.3% year over year to approximately 4.32 million in January 2024, according to data released by Statistics Korea.

When compared to the previous month, the number of temporary workers fell by 3.1% in December 2023. The temporary employment data is not seasonally adjusted.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.0% in January 2024, up from 2.9% the year prior and down from 3.2% when compared to December 2023.

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate marked 3.7% in January, up 0.1% year-on-year and 0.4% over the prior month.

The number of unemployed persons totalled 1.072 million people in January, which increased 48,000 persons or 4.7% year-on-year.

At the same time, the number of employed persons totalled 27.743 million persons in January, which went up 380,000 persons or 1.4% year-on-year. By sector, the construction sector reported an increase of 3.6% over the prior year, the biggest increase. This was followed by electricity, transport, communication & finance (3.2%).

The employment to population ratio recorded 61.0% in January, up 0.7% year-on-year.

South Korea’s labour force participation rate stood at 63.3% in January, up 0.7% year-on-year.