Number of Subscribers Increases Across All Service Industries Including Health and Welfare
Downward Trend in Manufacturing and Construction Persists
Only 0.30 Jobs Available Per Job Seeker
The number of regular subscribers to employment insurance, a key indicator of the number of employed persons, increased by more than 200,000 last month for the first time in 15 months. This was because the number of subscribers grew across all service industries, including health and welfare, and accommodation and food services. However, the downward trend in manufacturing and construction continued.
On February 9, the Ministry of Employment and Labor released the report titled "Labor Market Trends Based on Employment Administration Statistics for January 2026."
As of last month, the number of regular subscribers to employment insurance stood at 15,437,000, up 263,000 (+1.7%) from the same period a year earlier. This is the first time since October 2024, in 15 months, that the number of subscribers has increased by more than 200,000.
The number of regular subscribers increased across all service industries. In January, the number of subscribers in the service sector was 10,715,000, an increase of 277,000 from the same month of the previous year. Health and welfare services saw the largest increase, with 125,000 more subscribers, and the number also rose in all other service industries, including accommodation and food services, business services, professional, scientific and technical services, and public administration.
In contrast, manufacturing continued to decline for the eighth consecutive month. In January, the number of manufacturing subscribers was 3,834,000, down 5,000 from a year earlier. However, the pace of decline eased. In December 2025, the number of manufacturing subscribers had decreased by 13,000 year-on-year.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "The number of subscribers decreased in metal processing and machinery and equipment, while it increased in food products, electronics and communications, and other transportation equipment."
The construction industry continued its decline for the 30th consecutive month. Last month, the number of construction subscribers was 743,000, down 12,000 from a year earlier.
The number of new applicants for unemployment benefits (job-seeking benefits) was 201,000, an increase of 15,000 (8%) from the same month a year earlier. The number of recipients was 621,000, up 21,000 (3.6%) over the same period. The total amount paid was 974.2 billion won, down 500 million won (0.1%).
In addition, new job openings totaled 170,000, an increase of 34,000 (+25.4%) from the same month a year earlier, while new job seekers numbered 557,000, up 78,000 (+16.2%).
The vacancy-to-applicant ratio (the number of job openings per job seeker) was 0.30, slightly higher than the 0.28 recorded a year earlier, but still at a low level.
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