Pyeongtaek Leads Gyeonggi in Manufacturing Job Growth Over Past Three Years

13,300 New Jobs Added... 1 in 10 Manufacturing Companies Are in Semiconductors
Exports Jump 42% from $16.2 Billion to $23 Billion During the Same Period

Over the past three years, among all cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, Pyeongtaek has seen the largest increase in jobs.

According to the 'Employment Issue Report' recently released by the Gyeonggi Job Foundation, as of the second half of last year, the number of manufacturing jobs in Pyeongtaek increased by 13,300 compared to the second half of 2021. This is the highest figure among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. Manufacturing jobs also increased in Yongin (12,800), Gimpo (7,700), Goyang (6,800), and Anseong (6,400), in that order.

On a nationwide scale, the increase in manufacturing jobs in Pyeongtaek was the second highest after Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province, which saw an increase of 16,100 jobs.

The report analyzed that manufacturing jobs in Korea are rapidly declining, especially in the metal processing, textile, and rubber·plastic sectors. In particular, the report highlighted that in the Gyeonggi region, manufacturing employment has noticeably decreased in medium-low or low-technology industries.

Despite this trend, the significant increase in jobs in Pyeongtaek appears to be due to the growth in the number of employees in advanced industries such as semiconductors. In fact, there are 2,451 manufacturing companies in the Pyeongtaek area, and more than 10% of them?over 300 companies?are related to semiconductors. The city also explained that jobs are increasing in future industries such as next-generation automobiles.

With the rise of advanced industry companies, Pyeongtaek's export volume has also surged. According to statistics from the Korea International Trade Association, Pyeongtaek's export volume was about $16.2 billion in 2021, but reached $23 billion last year, marking a 42% increase over three years.

Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jangsun stated, "With the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus at the center, the local semiconductor ecosystem is being strengthened, and the fostering of advanced industries such as hydrogen and future vehicles is advancing the region's overall industrial structure," adding, "We will continue to strengthen the manufacturing base with a focus on advanced industries."