The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHDI), led by Director Cha Soon-do, announced on the 10th that employment in the biohealth industry has surpassed 1,141,000, reflecting a 3.6% increase (about 40,000 jobs) compared to the previous year. This robust employment growth not only underscores the sector's resilience but also highlights its pivotal role in economic development.

The latest report utilizes the Employment Labor Data Analysis System (ELDS) and aligns with the latest revisions from the 11th edition of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC). The analysis reveals that the cosmetic industry has achieved the highest job growth within biohealth manufacturing, with a staggering 9.1% increase from the previous year. This dynamic expansion indicates that enterprises across all scales—particularly those with more than 300 employees—saw a substantial employment surge of 12.3%, while companies with fewer than 30 employees and those ranging from 30 to under 300 employees witnessed increases of 7.4%.

Within the pharmaceutical sector, employment reached 86,000, marking a 2.3% rise year-on-year, characterized by steady advancements within the ‘manufacturing of synthetic medicines and other finished pharmaceuticals’. Notably, the growth rate escalated from 1.4% in the last quarter of the previous year to 2.2% in the first quarter of this year. While the total number of workplaces saw a slight decrease of 0.7%, the count of large-scale establishments increased by 4.9%, demonstrating a trend toward scale consolidation.

The medical device sector registered 65,000 employees, a 2.4% year-on-year growth. This increase suggests a foundational shift as employment in small firms (less than 30 employees) declined, signaling a concentration of growth among medium-sized and large enterprises. Conversely, the medical services sector, which constitutes the majority of employment in the biohealth domain, reported 946,000 employees, increasing by 3.6% from the previous year, significantly outpacing the overall service industry growth rate of 1.8%.

Each category demonstrated growth, particularly large businesses with over 300 employees, which experienced a 7.5% increase, signaling sustained hiring momentum driven by aging demographics, increased medical demand, and expanded healthcare services. The total number of new job creations was documented at 12,327, with the medical services sector alone generating 10,518 positions (85.3%), followed by pharmaceuticals with 792, medical devices with 555, and cosmetics with 462 jobs.

Choi Young-im, head of the Biohealth Innovation Planning Division, noted that the stable rise in employment, particularly in large enterprises, is a positive indicator for the sector. She emphasized the cosmetic industry's role in driving job creation, particularly among younger individuals, which bodes well for future growth trajectories. This employment trend marks the first report based on the revised KSIC framework, allowing for more detailed insights into employment dynamics within the biohealth sector moving forward.

Industry observers view this as a significant validation of the K-beauty sector, citing strong export performance and enhanced technological capabilities in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, which harmonize with growing healthcare demands. As the beauty sector continues to thrive and produce jobs amongst the youth population, it stands out as a leading growth segment within the broader biohealth framework, positioning itself as a vital player in the Korean economy.