South Korea's working hours are the ``longest'' except in Latin America...Labor productivity is also among the ``lowest'' in the OECD

South Korea's working hours continue to decline, but it has been found to be the longest among OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries, with the exception of some Latin American countries. Labor productivity also remains at its lowest point.
It remains within the rank range. According to the Korean National Assembly's Budget Policy Office, working hours in South Korea have been decreasing since 2014 based on policy efforts. Average weekly working hours of employed persons (2022 standard)
) was 38.3 hours, a 16.7% decrease compared to 2008 (46.0 hours). This sustained decline in working hours is partly due to the increase in part-time workers.
The number of part-time workers working less than 36 hours will reach 8,028,000 in 2022, an increase of 132% compared to 2008 (3,461,000). This results in
The proportion of part-time workers among the total workforce increased by 14.3 percentage points, from 14.8% to 29.1%. On the other hand, due to a decrease in working hours, the amount of income generated per hour of labor input is
Labor productivity, which is the added value produced, continues to increase. Labor productivity per hour in 2022 increased by 13.3% compared to 2012.
However, when comparing working hours and productivity with other countries, South Korea's annual working hours (2021) are 1,910 hours, which is higher than in 36 OECD countries (Co., Ltd.).
(excluding London and Turkey), the fourth largest. It is also 194 hours more than the OECD average of 1,716 hours.
South Korea's hourly labor productivity is about three times higher than Ireland's, which is the highest in the OECD.
At a level of 3.5%, it remains at a level of 80.0% compared to the OECD average. In July this year, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik told reporters, ``There is no need to reduce working hours.''
We will find a way to do so and do our best to have the (supplemented legislation) discussed at the regular Diet session in September."