[fn Editorial] Record-High Number of Thirties 'Just Taking a Break'—The Backbone of the Economy Is Shaking

Last month, the number of thirties who were not seeking jobs and were 'just taking a break' reached a record 334,000. According to the 'October Employment Trend' released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on the 12th, a total of 2.58 million people responded that they had 'simply taken a break' in the past month, an increase of 135,000 compared to a year earlier. While the number of people taking a break increased across all age groups, the rise was especially pronounced among those in their thirties.
In October 2008, during the financial crisis, the number of thirties taking a break was just under 160,000, but in the 17 years since, it has more than doubled. People in their thirties play a pivotal role in both consumption and production in our society. They have a high labor force participation rate and generally earn more than other age groups. If this generation leaves the workforce, it inevitably leads to a weakening of national competitiveness. It is no exaggeration to say that the backbone of our economy is now shaking.
The increase in thirties taking a break is not due to individual laziness but is the result of structural issues in society. Rigid employment practices, a work culture that overlooks quality of life, and rapid changes in industry and technology have all played a role. In fact, many thirties who are taking a break tried to re-enter the workforce after leaving their previous jobs but gave up after repeated failures. As Work-Life Balance (WLB) culture spreads, there is a growing tendency to avoid jobs that offer low compensation relative to workload. As a result, young people are unable to find jobs that meet their expectations, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with labor shortages, intensifying the Job Mismatch.
It is a significant economic and social loss when people in their thirties, who should be at the peak of their careers, are not participating in economic activity. The longer this break lasts, the harder it becomes to keep up with changes in knowledge and skill levels. This can lead to repeated cycles of lower wages and unstable, non-regular employment, ultimately resulting in early exit from the job market. The reduced spending power of thirties slows economic growth, widens income inequality, and leads to declines in marriage and birth rates. The increase in thirties taking a break is not just a personal issue but a crisis for the entire nation.
On the surface, Korea’s employment situation may appear stable. Last month, the employment rate for those aged 15 and over was 63.4%, up 0.1 percentage points from a year earlier, and the employment rate for those aged 15 to 64, based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) standards, exceeded 70%. However, the employment rate for young people aged 15 to 29 has been declining for 18 consecutive months, and both the manufacturing and construction sectors have seen a decrease in employment for over a year, indicating a prolonged slump. The increase in employment among those aged 60 and over is creating a misleading impression that the overall situation is improving.
The government must recognize the reality that the younger generation, who will lead the future, are unable to find quality jobs. Public-private cooperation is needed to expand retraining programs tailored to technological demand, and employment policies should be shifted to better balance work and life. Only then can thirties, who support the backbone of our economy, return to the workforce.