2.09 Million People Able to Work but 'Just Resting'... Record High

An Increase of 238,000 Compared to the Previous Year... Record Highest Growth

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The number of people who are capable of working but took time off without any particular reason reached a record high last year, exceeding 2 million for the first time.

According to Statistics Korea on the 19th, the number of 'rested' individuals among the economically inactive population last year recorded 2,092,000, an increase of 238,000 from the previous year. This is the first time since related statistics began in 2003 that the number has surpassed 2 million, marking an all-time high. The growth rate (12.8%) was the highest in eight years since 2011 (13.3%).

The increase was observed evenly across all age groups, including those in their 20s. The rates were 17.3% for people in their 20s, 16.4% for those in their 30s, 14.0% for those in their 50s, 13.6% for those in their 40s, and 10.3% for those aged 60 and above. Looking at the number of 'rested' individuals by age group, there were 29,000 aged 15-19, 332,000 in their 20s, 213,000 in their 30s, 223,000 in their 40s, 426,000 in their 50s, and 870,000 aged 60 and above. According to an analysis by the office of Rep. Chu Kyung-ho of the Liberty Korea Party, the proportion of 'rested' individuals within each age group was 5.2% for those in their 20s, 2.9% for those in their 30s, and 2.7% for those in their 40s. All of these are the highest figures since the statistics began in 2003. When considering the working-age population (15-64 years), the proportion of 'rested' individuals rose above 4% (4.4%) for the first time.

The Korea Labor Institute stated in the latest issue of 'Labor Review' that "Among the economically inactive population, the 'rested' group had mainly increased among the elderly aged 60 and above, but last year, the increase among those under 60 exceeded that of those aged 60 and above," adding, "This reflects the poor employment situation in the prime working-age group, especially among men, due to economic slowdown."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.