Part-time workers

The share of part-time workers has been increasing over the years (Figure 6-27). In 2008, 15 percent of all workers spent less than 36 hours per week in their jobs, and 9 percent less than 30 hours per week. Part-time employment declined a little in 2009.

Figure 6-27. Share of part-time workers in total employment

The share of part-time employment in Korea is still lower than those in many other OECD countries (Panel (a) of Figure 6-28). In the Netherlands, for example, part-time employment accounts for one-third of total employment. Korea ranks in the middle in terms of the full-time employment rate (Panel (b) of Figure 6-28). The rising number of part-time jobs would help increase the overall employment rate.

Figure 6-28. Incidence of part-time employment (2008)

Source : SaKong, Il and Koh, Youngsun, 2010. The Korean Economy Six Decades of Growth and Development. Seoul: Korea Development Institute.