"Effect of Aging Population's Care Demand"... Non-Residential Welfare Facility Employment Hits All-Time High

Announcement of Employment Characteristics by Industry and Occupation
Ages 15?29 Mainly Work in Restaurant and Bar Industry
15.8% of Older Workers Employed in Social Welfare Services

As the demand for caregiving rises due to an aging population, the number of employees in the "non-residential social welfare facility operation" sector-which includes daytime care centers for the elderly and in-home welfare services-reached a record high of 1,688,000 in the first half of the year.

On October 28, the National Data Agency announced the results of the "2025 Regional Employment Survey - Characteristics of Employees by Industry and Occupation" reflecting these findings.

Citizens moving near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul last September. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the industry subcategory breakdown for the first half of the year, the number of employees in the non-residential social welfare facility operation sector was 1,688,000 (5.8%), followed by the restaurant industry with 1,662,000 (5.8%), and crop cultivation with 1,260,000 (4.4%). The number of employees increased in non-residential social welfare facility operation (135,000) and residential social welfare facility operation (32,000), while it decreased in crop cultivation (-115,000) and building construction (-69,000).

An official from the National Data Agency explained, "The number of employees in the non-residential social welfare facility operation sector is the largest ever recorded for the first half of the year since statistics were first compiled in 2017." The official added, "Within the health and social welfare service industry, non-residential social welfare facility operation accounts for the highest proportion and continues to grow. This category mainly includes facilities related to the increasing demand for caregiving due to population aging, such as daytime care centers for the elderly and in-home welfare services."

By industry mid-category, restaurants and bars had the largest number of employees at 2,144,000 (7.4%), followed by retail (excluding automobiles) at 1,945,000 (6.7%), and social welfare services at 1,930,000 (6.7%). While the number of employees increased in social welfare services (167,000) and educational services (68,000), it decreased in agriculture (-126,000) and specialized construction (-76,000).

Breaking down the number of employees by age group within each industry mid-category, among those aged 15 to 29, restaurants and bars had the largest number of employees at 587,000 (16.2%). However, this figure decreased by 44,000 compared to the same period last year. The next largest sectors were retail (excluding automobiles) with 320,000 (8.8%) and educational services with 297,000 (8.2%).

For those aged 60 and above, social welfare services accounted for the largest share with 1,089,000 employees (15.8%), followed by agriculture with 1,037,000 (15.0%), and restaurants and bars with 430,000 (6.2%). The number of employees in social welfare services increased by 129,000, while agriculture saw a decrease of 72,000.

Based on major industry categories and employment status, among wage workers (22,415,000), manufacturing accounted for 17.8%. Among non-wage workers (6,472,000), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries made up 20.7%. For regular workers (16,677,000), manufacturing accounted for 22.1%, while for temporary and daily workers (5,738,000), health and social welfare services accounted for 18.9%.

In the first half of the year, 30.6% of wage workers earned between 2 million and 3 million won per month, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from the same period last year. The next largest groups were those earning between 3 million and 4 million won (22.4%), 5 million won or more (16.3%), 4 million to 5 million won (11.2%), 1 million to 2 million won (9.9%), and less than 1 million won (9.6%). Except for those earning less than 1 million won (down 0.8 percentage points), all other categories saw a slight increase.

Among workers earning between 2 million and 3 million won, the proportion was high in business facility management, business support, and rental services (46.3%), as well as in real estate (40.3%). Those earning 5 million won or more were mainly employed in finance and insurance (37.2%) and professional, scientific, and technical services (35.9%). Employees earning less than 1 million won were mostly engaged in health and social welfare services (28.9%) and accommodation and food services (23.8%).

An official from Statistics Korea stated, "A significant portion of employees earning less than 1 million won are part-time workers." The official further explained, "When participating in government direct job creation programs for the elderly, such as through social welfare centers, these positions are typically classified under health and social welfare services. Since these workers usually work for short hours, a large number of them fall into the category of earning less than 1 million won."