A recent report from the Bank of Korea highlights a significant shift in the nation's labor market. Data from June 2022 to June 2026 shows a decline of 285,000 jobs held by individuals between the ages of 15 and 29. Of this total reduction, 268,000 positions were within sectors highly exposed to artificial intelligence, such as IT services, publishing, and computer programming.
While youth employment dropped in these areas, workers in their 50s saw a different trend. Employment for that age group grew by 230,000 during the same four-year window, with 173,000 of those roles appearing in AI-exposed fields. This data reflects a broader change in how young professionals enter the workforce and climb career ladders.
Researchers at the Bank of Korea point to several factors at play. While South Korea faces a declining population, the adoption of generative AI appears to accelerate the replacement of entry-level tasks. AI can increase productivity for younger workers, but it also increases the risk of those same tasks being automated.
The study notes that unemployment rates for young people with higher education degrees have also shifted compared to those with secondary education. The bank suggests that these technology-driven changes are not the sole cause of the employment decline, but they are a primary factor in shortening the traditional career path for the next generation of workers.