This file photo taken Jan. 22, 2024, shows a construction site in the city of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s construction workforce is aging rapidly, with the average age of construction professionals exceeding 51, up from 38.1 in 2004, according to a report released on Thursday by the Korea Research Institute for Construction Industry (KRCI).
The increase of 13 years over two decades highlights a significant demographic shift within the sector.
While the average age of all workers in South Korea rose from 39 in 2010 to 43.8 in 2022, construction has aged at an even faster pace.
From 2010 to 2023, the construction industry saw an average age increase of 6.2 years, the third-highest among industries, trailing only healthcare and social welfare services (9.6 years) and facility management and rental services (6.4 years).
Sharp Decline in Youth Participation
The proportion of workers in their 20s and 30s in the construction industry has plummeted from 64% in 2004 to just 15.7% today. With over 80% of the workforce now in the middle-aged or senior demographic, the sector’s core labor force has shifted to workers in their 50s and 60s.
This aging trend poses significant challenges. The KRCI warns that entrenched industry practices and cultural norms, combined with declining youth interest, could create a cycle that further deters younger generations from entering the field.
Causes and Recommendations
In addition to South Korea’s broader demographic changes, the report attributes the decline in youth participation to persistent stereotypes about the construction industry, including perceptions of hierarchical structures and rigid workplace culture.
The KRCI emphasized the need for a cultural shift toward horizontal relationships and creativity-based practices to attract young talent. “Adapting to a new era through more open and egalitarian workplace cultures can break the cycle of youth aversion and reinvigorate the construction workforce,” the report stated.
As the industry faces a demographic crossroads, addressing these structural and cultural challenges will be essential to sustaining its workforce and future competitiveness.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
