The nationwide unemployment rate in January was 2.4%, improving by 0.1 points from the previous month and reaching the level for the first time in about three years.
On the other hand, the number of ``leavers'' has not decreased to the level before the spread of the new corona infection, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications wants to keep an eye on the future employment situation.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of employees in January was 66.89 million, an increase of 430,000 compared to the same month of the previous year, the sixth consecutive month of increase.
In contrast, the number of unemployed people was 1.64 million, down 210,000, marking the 19th straight month of decline.
As a result, the national unemployment rate, excluding seasonal factors, stood at 2.4%, an improvement of 0.1 points from the previous month.
It will be the first time since February 2020 that it will be 2.4%, and it is the first level in 2 years and 11 months.
By industry, the number of employees
in the medical and welfare sector was 9.09 million
, and that in the accommodation and food service industry was 3.88 million. increase.
On the other hand, the number of ``leavers'' who have a job but are absent is 2.19 million, which has not decreased to the level before the spread of the new corona infection, which was roughly 2 million or less.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said, ``Socioeconomic activities have returned to normal with the convergence of the new coronavirus infection, but the number of people on leave has not returned to normal, so we would like to keep an eye on the future employment situation.''