February 24, Seoul: South Korea has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to promote work-life balance, as men now account for over 30% of workers taking parental leave, according to a February 23 report by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. This shift reflects a growing cultural embrace of shared childcare responsibilities and highlights the success of policies aimed at supporting working parents.
In 2024, a total of 256,771 workers utilized parental benefits, including maternity and childcare leave—a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Among them, 132,535 took parental leave, with men making up 31.6% (41,829 workers), up from 28% in 2023. This marks a dramatic rise compared to 2015 when only 5.6% of parental leave takers were men. The trend continues to accelerate, with male participation surging 69.2% in the first 30 business days of 2025, outpacing the overall 42.6% increase in parental leave usage.
The data also reveals that parents are increasingly taking leave during their child’s first year when care needs are most critical. In 2024, 80% of women and 46.5% of men took leave during this period, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of early childhood care.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are leading the way, accounting for 56.8% of parental leave takers. Workers at companies with fewer than 100 employees made up 45.4% of those taking leave, underscoring the widespread adoption of these policies across businesses of all sizes. On average, workers took 8.8 months of leave, with women averaging 9.4 months and men 7.6 months.
Additionally, 26,627 workers opted for reduced working hours during child-rearing periods, a 14.8% increase from 2023. This option, though less common than full parental leave, is growing rapidly, particularly among SME employees, who represent 62.8% of those choosing reduced hours.
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting working parents, stating, “We will ensure this year’s expanded work-life balance policies are effectively implemented so that parents can maintain their careers while managing childcare responsibilities without worry.”
This progress signals a hopeful shift toward a more equitable and family-friendly society, where both parents can actively participate in raising their children while pursuing their professional aspirations.
Get more News Headlines on our Social Platforms And Do Follow.
https://rb.gy/q8ugti
https://rb.gy/t4q0ay
rebrand.ly/pwoq4qx
rebrand.ly/nddyfab
About The Author
