In the period from 2013 to 2023, the number of employees in software publishing in South Korea grew steadily from 226.8 thousand to 308.1 thousand units. The annual growth rate peaked significantly in 2018 at 10.48% but saw a slight decline thereafter. Despite minor fluctuations, the industry maintained an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.19% over the past decade. The labor force in this sector showed resilience, even during periods of minor stagnation like in 2019.
Year-on-year variations reveal a consistent albeit modest growth in recent years: 2.14% in 2020, 1.99% in 2021, 1.96% in 2022, and 1.88% in 2023. This trend suggests that the sector is maturing with somewhat reduced growth rates. From 2024 to 2028, the number of employees is forecasted to continue increasing, though at a slower average annual rate (CAGR of 1.31%), which will result in a 6.73% overall growth by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which could alter employment dynamics. Additionally, global economic factors and South Korea's policy changes regarding tech investment will be crucial in shaping the sector's employment landscape.