According to data released by Statistics Korea on August 7, the number of employed people aged between 55 and 79 has surpassed 10 million for the first time, amid the country's rapid population aging.
Specifically, as of July 2026, approximately 10.02 million people in the 55–79 age group were employed, a rise of about 4.4% compared to the same period last year. This marks the first time the figure has exceeded 10 million since the statistics agency began collecting data for this age group in 2014.
The employment rate for the 55–79 age group also hit a record high of 59.1%, up 2.1 percentage points from a year earlier.
South Korean officials attribute this trend to the fast-aging population, as many older adults either need or wish to continue working to maintain their income and quality of life. However, it also raises challenges regarding job quality and social welfare for the elderly.
