Data released by Statistics Korea on Friday shows South Koreans older than 15 years of age between last September and October took an average of 5.9 days off over the last year, excluding national holidays. (Image: Yonhap)
SEJONG, Dec. 15 (Korea Bizwire) –South Korean workers on average get fewer than a week of paid leave every year, according to new government data.
Data released by Statistics Korea on Friday shows South Koreans older than 15 years of age between last September and October took an average of 5.9 days off over the last year, excluding national holidays.
The figure is down by 1.6 days compared to 2010, when workers spent 7.5 days off work.
As of last year, South Koreans older than 15 spent a daily average of 3 hours and 6 minutes for recreational activities during the week, and 5 hours during the weekend, down by 30 minutes and 38 minutes respectively, compared to 2014.
In the meantime, working hours decreased slightly.
Regular workers employed by a company consisting of more than five employees worked 176 hours and 54 minutes per month on average, down only one and a half hours from the year before.
On average, workers worked 12 hours and 42 minutes in excess of their regular work hours.
When broken down to workers at small and medium-sized companies with a workforce of fewer than 100 personnel, the average overtime hours actually increased slightly.
For instance, employees at companies with a workforce of between 39 and 99 worked an average of 17 hours and 24 minutes in excess of the regular working hours last year, up 36 minutes from the year before.
Larger companies with over 300 workers saw the figure go down from 15 hours and 24 minutes to 13 hours and 42 minutes during the same period.
Among the workers who got days off last year, nearly half received fewer than five days, while just over 15 percent enjoyed a longer holiday ranging from 10 to 19 days.
When asked about priorities between work and family, 4 in 10 people answered work, while just below 14 percent said family was their top priority.
The figures have changed slightly from two years ago, when 53.7 percent of respondents prioritized work over family.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
