More than half of working women have experienced a career break, and it takes an average of 7 years and 6 months to return to employment after leaving their jobs due to marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth, a survey has shown.

The findings also revealed that working hours and wages after re-employment tend to be lower than they were before the career break.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the results of the 2025 Survey on Women's Economic Activities and Career Breaks, which was conducted from August to September last year among 8,177 women aged 19 to 54.

The survey results confirmed that employed women aged 19 to 54 are primarily engaged in sectors such as health and social welfare services, education services, and wholesale and retail trade.

Regarding the size of their workplaces, 23.3% of respondents were employed at businesses with 1 to 4 regular employees, where the Labor Standards Act does not apply.

Difficulties experienced in the workplace included a culture that favors long working hours, difficulty in taking leave freely, and an environment that makes it challenging to continue working while managing marriage, pregnancy, and childcare.

The career break experience rate was recorded at 56.7%.

Among all women who experienced a career break, 53.4% cited working conditions such as low wages and excessive workload as the reason, while 29.3% attributed it to marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth.

The average time taken to return to the workforce after a career break caused by marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth was 7 years and 6 months.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been conducting this survey on career breaks every three years since the first study in 2013.

(Photo: Yonhap News)