According to the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS) and job data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, 2.346 million people ages 25-29 were employed in February, down 62,000 from a year earlier. It was the lowest February figure since 2017.
The employment rate for the age group stood at 70.4 percent, down 0.5 percentage points on-year and the lowest for the month since 2022.
The decline was broad-based across key industries.
Losses were notable in manufacturing, as well as in information and communications and professional, scientific and technical services — sectors traditionally favored by younger workers seeking stable, high-quality jobs.
Employment in information and communications for those in their late 20s fell by 52,000 from a year earlier, the steepest drop since 2014. The sector had recorded steady gains in recent years before turning negative in 2025 and declining for a second consecutive year.
In professional, scientific and technical services, employment fell by 29,000, also the largest decrease since 2014, following a drop of 20,000 last year.
The ministry said part of the decline may reflect a base effect after strong growth in those sectors in recent years. However, it also pointed to structural changes, including the spread of artificial intelligence, which may be reducing demand for entry-level roles in professions such as accounting and legal services.
The sector includes research and development, architecture and engineering, as well as professional services such as lawyers, patent attorneys, accountants and tax specialists.
Analysts say changes in corporate hiring are reinforcing the trend. Companies are increasingly favoring experienced workers who can contribute immediately, while entry-level recruitment has shrunk — delaying young people’s entry into the labor market.
The impact is visible in rising unemployment.
The number of unemployed people aged 25 to 29 rose to 179,000 in February, up 16,000 from a year earlier, pushing the unemployment rate up 0.8 percentage points to 7.1 percent.
Broader youth indicators suggest even greater strain.
The supplementary employment indicator No. 3, an expanded measure that includes underemployed and discouraged workers, rose to 17.4 percent for those aged 15 to 29, the highest February level since 2023.
The indicator captures perceived joblessness beyond the official unemployment rate, including those seeking additional hours or marginally attached to the labor force.
The government said it is closely monitoring youth employment conditions, with expectations that a forthcoming supplementary budget could include targeted job-support measures.
By contrast, employment conditions for people in their 30s have remained relatively stable, supported by population growth and a rising employment rate.
The divergence underscores a widening gap within the labor market, where entry-level opportunities are shrinking even as overall employment trends appear relatively steady.
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