Seoul, South Korea – A recent study conducted by the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) has revealed that South Korea's female employment rate has been consistently lagging behind other developed countries for the past two decades.
The analysis of data from 38 OECD countries showed that in 2023, South Korea's female employment rate stood at 61.4%, ranking 31st among the surveyed nations. The female labor force participation rate was also 31st at 63.1%.
Since 2003, South Korea's ranking in terms of female employment rate has declined from 27th to 31st, remaining consistently in the bottom quartile. The country's female labor force participation rate has only improved by one position during the same period.
The study further revealed that the employment rate among South Korean women with children under 15 years old was significantly lower than the average of the "30-50 Club" countries, which include nations with a GDP per capita of at least $30,000 and a population of 50 million or more. In 2021, only 56.2% of South Korean women with young children were employed, compared to the club's average of 68.2%.
The KEF attributed the low female employment rate to the challenges women face in balancing work and family responsibilities. The federation recommended that the government prioritize policies aimed at reducing the burden on working mothers and encouraging greater female labor force participation.
A comparison with countries like Germany, Japan, and the UK highlighted the need for South Korea to improve flexible work arrangements and strengthen family support systems. These countries have higher female employment rates and offer more flexible working hours and generous family benefits.
"To boost female employment to levels comparable to advanced nations, South Korea must focus on retaining and expanding job opportunities for women with children," said Lee Sang-ho, head of the KEF's Economic Industry Division. "By promoting flexible work arrangements, expanding quality part-time jobs, and enhancing family support services, we can create a more conducive environment for women to participate in the workforce."
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