159,000 people were employed last year ↑..."Half of it" compared to the previous year.

Although the number of employed people increased by 160,000 per year last year, the increase was only "half" compared to the previous year.

According to the annual employment trend released by the National Statistical Office, the annual number of employed people last year was 28.576 million, up 159,000 from a year ago.

The number of employed people increased by 327,000 in 2023.

By industry, the number of employees in the construction industry decreased by 49,000, the largest decline since related statistics were compiled in 2013.

Wholesale and retail businesses decreased by 61,000 and manufacturing businesses decreased by 6,000.

On the other hand, in the health and social welfare service industry, the number of employed increased by 83,000.

By age, the number increased by 266,000 for those aged 60 or older, but the number of people in their 20s decreased by 124,000.

The number of employed people fell by 52,000 last month, the first drop in three years and 10 months since a 473,000 drop in February 2021 during the COVID-19 period.

The National Statistical Office explained that the overall decline in the number of employed has shifted as the number of employed people has widened in industries such as construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.