Statistics Korea said on Wednesday that more than one-third of South Korea’s
employed population is aged 55 or older, and the 55–79 workforce reached 10.125
million in May, up 345,000 year‑on‑year — the first time it has exceeded 10
million. The 55–79 workforce has risen from 6.715 million in 2016 to 10.125
million, now accounting for 34.8% of the country’s employed population aged 15+.
The 55–79 population totalled 17.017 million, up 570,000 year‑on‑year,
representing 37.0% of the 15+ population of 45.98 million. The elderly
employment rate was unchanged at 59.5%; the 55–64 employment rate rose 0.4
percentage point to 71.5%, and the 65–79 rate rose 0.6 percentage point to
47.8%.
