Number of non-regular workers exceeds 8.67 million... 38.5% of all wage earners
Monthly wage gap between regular and non-regular workers widens to a record 1.94 million won
9 out of 10 net new jobs added over the past year are non-regular
Inflow of youth into short-term jobs deepens... Concerns over qualitative deterioration of employment
The number of non-regular workers in South Korea has surpassed 8.67 million, breaking all-time records. As the wage gap with regular workers has widened to nearly 2 million won, reaching an all-time high, warnings are growing that polarization in the labor market and employment instability among the youth are worsening.
According to the 'Supplementary Survey on Employment Types in the Economically Active Population Survey for August 2026' released by the National Statistics Office, the number of non-regular workers was tallied at 8.674 million. Non-regular workers accounted for 38.5% of all wage earners, the highest proportion since relevant statistics began. In particular, analysis shows that 9 out of 10 total wage earners added over the past year flowed into non-regular positions, accelerating qualitative deterioration behind the quantitative increase in jobs.
Wage polarization has become even more pronounced. While the average monthly wage of regular workers surpassed the 4 million won mark for the first time in history, non-regular workers saw only a slight increase, bringing the average monthly wage gap between the two groups to 1.94 million won. Experts point out that among young people in their 20s and 30s, the rate of starting their first jobs as non-regular workers—such as part-time or short-term contract work—continues to rise, shaking the very foundation of youth asset accumulation.
Experts diagnose that the combination of a low-growth trend and the entrenchment of a dual labor market structure has brought the youth social mobility ladder to the brink of collapse. Voices are growing louder that fundamental structural reforms are urgently needed, going beyond simple short-term youth allowances or fiscal-injection job policies, to include the reorganization of job-centric wage systems, support for regular job conversions, and the guarantee of fair labor compensation.