[low fertility rate and aging population continues to increase gradually in South Korea] the May Employment trend released by the South Korean Bureau of Statistics on 14 June showed that the number of people over the age of 60 increased by 379000 last month, while those of other ages under the age of 60 decreased by 28000. Of these, the number of young people aged between 15 and 29 decreased by 99000, showing a downward trend for seven consecutive months; those aged 40 to 49 decreased by 48000; and those aged 50 to 59 increased by 49000. The low fertility rate and the continuous aging of the population have led to a decrease in the youth population and a gradual increase in the number of older workers.