According to the “May 2026 Supplementary Survey of the Economically Active Population of Older Adults” released by South Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) on August 5, the number of employed people aged 55–79 reached 10.13M in May, an increase of 345k from a year earlier and accounting for 34.8% of the total employed population. In other words, more than one-third of employed people were aged 55 or older. However, during the same period, South Korea’s total employment fell by 40k from a year earlier.
South Korea’s Older-Adult Employment Surpassed 345k for the First Time in May
According to the May survey data released by MODS on August 5, 2026, the number of employed people aged 55–79 in South Korea reached 40k, marking the first time the country’s older-adult employment population surpassed 10 million—a historic milestone. The figure increased by 345k year over year and accounted for 34.8% of the total employed population, meaning that more than one-third of employed people were aged 55 or older.
At the same time, South Korea’s total employment fell by 40k from a year earlier, with the increase in older-adult employment more than offsetting the employment decline among other age groups.
Structure of Newly Added Older-Adult Employment: 95% Aged 65–79
Of the 345k additional employed older adults, 95% were aged 65–79, while the relatively younger 55–64 age group increased by only 20k. By industry, 45%—approximately 155k people—worked in healthcare and social welfare services. This increase is believed to have been driven by growing demand for “mutual care among older adults,” in which older adults care for other older adults, as well as childcare.
MODS noted that people who provide caregiving services while receiving “grandchild care allowances” from local governments such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government are not included in employment statistics.
Retirement Age and Desired Working Age: Leaving Jobs at 53 but Hoping to Work Until 73.6
The survey showed that the average age at which older adults in South Korea left their longest-held jobs was 53. However, among older adults who hoped to continue working, the average desired age to remain employed was 73.6, representing a gap of more than 20 years.
The main reasons for leaving their jobs were as follows:
· Poor business performance, suspension of operations, or closure: 24.9%
· Deteriorating health: 22.1%
· Caring for family: 15.2%
· Mandatory retirement: 13.2%
The primary reason for continuing to work was “supplementing living expenses” (53.4%), followed by “enjoying the pleasure of work” (36.7%). Compared with last year, the proportion citing “enjoying work” rose by 0.6 percentage points, while the proportion citing “supplementing living expenses” fell by 1 percentage point.
Vocational Training Participation Rate Fell to 12.8%, Down 66k Year Over Year
Although older-adult employment continued to grow, participation in vocational training declined. Over the past year, the number of older adults who participated in vocational skills development training fell from 10.13M to 2.18 million, a decrease of 66k. The vocational training participation rate among older adults fell from 13.7% to 12.8%, down 0.9 percentage points.
The MODS survey noted that the government’s employment-transition and retraining infrastructure has failed to adequately meet the needs of older job seekers.
FAQ
How many older adults were employed in South Korea in May 2026?
According to the survey released by MODS on August 5, 2026, the number of employed people aged 55–79 in South Korea reached 10.13M in May, marking the first time it surpassed 10 million—a historic milestone. The figure increased by 345k year over year and accounted for 34.8% of the total employed population.
Why is older-adult employment in South Korea concentrated in healthcare and social welfare?
According to the survey, 45% of newly employed older adults—approximately 155k people—worked in healthcare and social welfare services. This increase is believed to have been driven by growing demand for “mutual care among older adults,” in which older adults care for other older adults, as well as childcare.
How large is the gap between the retirement age and desired working age among older adults in South Korea?
According to the MODS survey, the average age at which older adults in South Korea left their longest-held jobs was 53, while the average desired age to remain employed was 73.6—a gap of more than 20 years.
