The mining and quarrying sector in South Korea is anticipated to see a consistent decline in its workforce over the next few years. In 2023, the sector employed 9.0 thousand persons. Forecasted data indicates a decrease from 8.3 thousand persons in 2024 to 6.2 thousand persons by 2028. Year-on-year variations show a consistent decrement: a 6.0% drop from 2024 to 2025, another 6.4% from 2025 to 2026, 6.8% from 2026 to 2027, and finally, an 8.8% decline from 2027 to 2028. Over the five-year period, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) suggests an average annual decline of approximately 7.05%.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements leading to more automation and reduced human labor demand.
Government policies and sustainability goals impacting the reduction in mining activities.
The shift towards renewable energy sources potentially reducing the necessity for traditional mining roles.