Women's Household Labor Value Triple's Men's Contribution

• Unpaid household labor value in South Korea rose 20% to 582.4 trillion won, despite a decline in average daily time to 132 minutes
• 2. Gender gap narrows, yet persists: women’s labor value is 2.7x men’s, improving from 3.2x five years ago
• 3. Male participation in housework has increased, but still accounts for only about one-third of women’s contribution

On April 2029, South Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics released the findings of the 2024 Household Production Satellite Account, assessing the value of unpaid household labor. In its finding, women’s unpaid household labor is valued at approximately 16.46 million women.

With rising male involvement in housework and greater female economic participation, the disparity is showing signs of gradual reduction. Nonetheless, men continue to account for only about one-third of the total housework performed by women.

The Household Production Satellite Account measures the monetary value of unpaid domestic activities excluded from traditional income statistics, by applying time-use data population metrics, and replacement wage rates.

In 2024, unpaid household labor was valued at 582.4 trillion won, up 20.0% from 2019. Although average daily time devoted to household fell minutes to 132 minutes, growth in the household population (+1.08 million) and a 21.6% rise in hourly replacement wages supported the overall increase. The adoption of modern home appliances has helped streamline and shorten domestic labor time.

Although the disparity in household labor participation has eased, the value gap remains substantial. Women’s per capita household labor is estimated at 16.46 million won, significantly higher than men’s 6.05 million won, equivalent to a 2.7-fold difference, improving from 3.2-fold five years earlier.