In 2025, South Korean workers logged an average of 1846 hours annually, a decline of 13.2 hours from the previous year. This trend marks the fourth consecutive year of decreasing working hours, yet the South Korean government, under President Lee Jae-myung, aims to achieve the OECD average of 1742 hours by 2030, necessitating a further reduction of over 100 hours. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, this reduction can be attributed to fewer working days and an increase in employment in sectors like healthcare and social services where working hours tend to be shorter.

The report further indicates a slight reduction in the average monthly working hours for full-time employees, decreased by 1.1 hours (0.7%) compared to 2024 figures. The downward trend has been persistent, with annual working hours falling from 1928 hours in 2021 to 1846 hours in 2025. The government’s initiatives appear focused on encouraging a better work-life balance, although its target for the OECD average remains challenging in light of the current statistics.

Additionally, while nominal wages for workers in firms with one or more employees rose by 3.1% to 4.205 million won, real wages (adjusted for inflation) experienced only a minor increase of 0.9% to 3.606 million won. This sluggish growth in real wages has been attributed to the inflationary pressures in the economy, despite the upward trend in nominal wages observed over the recent years. Monitoring these metrics appears crucial for assessing the broader employment landscape in South Korea as it navigates changes in labor policies and economic conditions.