SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's employment rose for the 13th straight month due to an increase in jobs for the elderly, statistical ministry data showed Wednesday.

The number of employed people aged 15 and older gained 108,000, or 0.4 percent, from a year earlier to 27,986,000 in January, continuing to grow since January 2025, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

The overall job growth was driven by the elderly. The number of jobs for those aged 60 and older expanded by 141,000 in January on a yearly basis, while the figures for those in their 30s and 50s climbed 101,000 and 45,000 each.

Employment among those in their 20s and 40s reduced 199,000 and 3,000 each.

The number of jobs in the health and social welfare service, the transportation and warehousing and the arts, sports and leisure service industries picked up 185,000, 71,000 and 45,000 each.

Employment among manufacturers declined 23,000 in January from a year earlier, keeping a downward trend for the 19th successive month.

The number of unemployed people totaled 1,211,000 in January, up 128,000 from a year earlier. Unemployment rate increased 0.4 percentage points to 4.1 percent.