2024 Regional Work-Life Balance Index
Jeonnam has been identified as the region with the best work-life balance in the country. In contrast, some areas such as North Gyeongsang Province and Jeju continue to lag behind at relatively low levels.
According to the "2024 Regional Work-Life Balance Index" released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on December 29, the national average score as of last year was 65.7 points (excluding bonus points), an increase of 4.9 points compared to the previous year.
The survey analyzed five categories and 25 indicators across 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide. Specifically, the five categories were: ▲Work (working hours, vacation time, flexible work arrangements) ▲Life (leisure and housework time) ▲System (parental leave, childcare facilities) ▲Local government engagement (ordinances, promotion) ▲Bonus points (activation of government-certified household services).
Of the 17 cities and provinces, 16 saw their index rise, showing a steady nationwide improvement in work-life balance conditions.
By region, Jeonnam ranked highest with 73.1 points, followed by Daejeon (70.4 points) and Sejong (68.4 points). Jeonnam scored first in the "local government engagement" category, thanks to high awareness of work-family balance systems, a high proportion of workplaces granting paternity leave, and notable efforts by the local government in promotion, education, and consulting.
Daejeon received high marks in the "work" category due to fewer overtime hours and a higher number of vacation days taken, while Sejong excelled in the "system" category with high rates of public childcare facility installations and paternity leave utilization.
At the lower end were North Gyeongsang Province (59.1 points), Jeju (61.1 points), and Gwangju (61.8 points). However, Jeju (+12.0 points) and Jeonnam (+9.3 points) showed significant year-on-year improvement, highlighting notable progress in mid- to lower-ranked regions.
By category, all regions saw a decrease in overtime hours in the "work" section, and many regions also saw increases in vacation usage and the adoption rate of flexible work arrangements. As a result, Busan ranked first in the "work" category, Ulsan led in the "life" category, and Sejong topped the "system" category.
When including bonus points, the ranking order was Jeonnam, Busan, and Seoul. In the bonus points category for activation of government-certified household services, Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, and South Chungcheong all received perfect scores, while Jeju was evaluated as having made no related efforts.
Lim Youngmi, Director of Employment Policy, stated, "It is encouraging to see that local governments' interest and policy efforts have led to an increase in the index," adding, "The government will continue to strengthen support for creating conditions that enable work-family balance, such as introducing a 10 a.m. start time for parents with young children and implementing short-term parental leave."
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