22.4% Increase in Q1 This Year Compared to Same Period Last Year
Sharp Rise Observed Among Youth and 40s Age Groups
The so-called 'N-jobbers,' who have one or more side jobs, have recently been rapidly increasing, especially among young people and those in their 40s.
"Can't Make Ends Meet with Just One Job" N-jobber Proportion Nears 2%... 'Delivery Riders and YouTubers' Are Representative
According to the microdata from the Statistics Korea Economically Active Population Survey on the 29th, the number of employed persons who had a side job in the first quarter of this year was 552,000, an increase of 22.4% (101,000) compared to the same quarter last year (monthly average of 451,000). Although the scale of 'N-jobbers' who hold side jobs among employed persons is still not large compared to the total employed population, the growth rate is steep. The proportion of 'N-jobbers' was 1.34% in the first quarter of 2019 and recorded 1.97% last year, five years later.
By age group, those aged 60 and over were the largest at 194,000, followed by those in their 50s (118,000) and 40s (115,000). Those in their 30s (71,000) and youth (ages 15?29, 53,000) were below 100,000. In terms of growth, it is distinct among youth and those in their 40s. The number of youth with side jobs in the first quarter increased by 30.9% (12,400) compared to a year earlier, showing the largest increase. Side jobs among those in their 40s increased by 27.7% (25,000) during the same period, the second-largest increase, followed by those aged 60 and over (25.1%, 39,000), those in their 30s (14.9%, 9,300), and those in their 50s (14.7%, 15,000).
The government’s analysis suggests that the increase in 'N-jobbers' is related to platform jobs, represented by delivery riders. Many platform jobs have the characteristic of being available without time constraints and are easier to find than traditional jobs. Additionally, some information and communication jobs, such as YouTubers, which can be done anywhere and anytime with just a PC, are also considered representative side jobs.
Hourly Income Is Actually Lower Than That of Single-Job Workers
Although working hours have increased due to the rise in side jobs, income improvement has been minimal in comparison. According to the report "Status and Characteristics of Multiple Job Holders" published by the Korea Labor Institute last January, the average monthly income combining main and side jobs for multiple job holders was 2,947,000 KRW, which is 210,000 KRW more than that of single-job workers. However, their hourly income was 13,000 KRW, lower than the 16,000 KRW earned by single-job workers.
Side job holders also had significantly lower enrollment rates in national pension and employment insurance compared to single-job workers. The report analyzes that working conditions for both main and side jobs of 'N-jobbers' are often poor. Kim Kwang-seok, head of the Economic Research Office at the Korea Economic Research Institute, emphasized, "Involuntary side jobs may be a phenomenon caused by a lack of quality jobs," adding, "It is necessary to look more deeply into the reality hidden behind favorable employment and unemployment rates."
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