The number of new employment insurance subscribers showed signs of recovery in January 2026, returning to the 200,000-mark for the first time in 15 months.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labour’s "Labour Market Trends Based on Employment Administration Statistics for January 2026" report, the total number of permanent employment insurance subscribers reached 15.437m, up 263,000—or 1.7%—from the same month last year.
The increase in employment insurance subscribers was particularly notable in the health and welfare sector for those aged 60 and above, likely supported by public welfare initiatives such as senior job creation programmes.
By industry, service sector subscribers rose by 277,000 (2.7%), with the health and welfare industry posting the largest gain. Other sectors, including accommodation and food services, business services, and professional and technology services, also saw growth. Wholesale and retail trade returned to growth for the first time in 37 months. Meanwhile, manufacturing continued to decline for the eighth consecutive month, though the drop was limited to 5,000 jobs, largely in metal processing and machinery equipment. The construction sector also fell for the 30th consecutive month, with a smaller decline of 12,000.
By age group, subscribers under 30 fell by 78,000, extending a 41-month downward trend since September 2022, while those in their 40s decreased by 9,000, though the pace of decline has slowed. In contrast, subscribers aged 60 and older increased by 209,000, leading gains among older workers.
New unemployment benefit applicants numbered 201,000 last month, up 15,000 (8.0%) from a year ago, although declines were seen in the construction and information & communications sectors. Total recipients reached 621,000, an increase of 21,000 (3.6%), with total payments amounting to KRW974.2bn ($665.7m).