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South Korea's 30s Unemployment Surges 29.7% Amid Economic Slowdown
Chosun Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedUnemployment
Unemployment among South Koreans in their 30s surged by 29.7% year-on-year, reaching 164,000 in November, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. This marks the fourth consecutive month of rising unemployment in this age group, with the latest increase being the largest since January 2021. The unemployment rate for those in their 30s rose by 0.7 percentage points to 2.9%, while rates for those in their 50s and 60s declined. The youth unemployment rate (ages 15–29) remained steady at 5.5%, though employment among this group decreased by 177,000 compared to the previous year.
The employment situation is worsening due to a prolonged economic slowdown, weak domestic demand, and the adoption of AI technologies, which have reduced hiring particularly in manufacturing and construction sectors. The number of 'inactive' individuals—those not working or seeking work—in their 30s reached a record high of 314,000 in November, contributing to a record total inactive population of 2.54 million across all age groups. Youth employment has been declining for 19 months, with the 20s age group's employment rate falling below that of those in their 60s, indicating a severe labor market imbalance.
The economic slowdown has led companies to cut investment and hiring, fueling a cycle of reduced consumption, further impacting job availability. Rising living costs and interest burdens add to household financial pressures. In response, the South Korean government plans to launch new youth employment measures as part of its 2026 economic growth strategy to address these challenges and support the inactive youth population.