The Labor Ministry has recently disclosed a survey result regarding employment trends for fiscal 2023. The survey is conducted twice a year to find out how many workers have landed or left jobs, as well as their gender, age groups, or reasons for leaving jobs. The ministry's report includes combined results of the past two surveys. This article looks at the status of workers who were employed or left jobs or reasons for changing jobs.
[1] Status of workers employed or displaced
The number of people who were hired in 2023 was approximately 8,501,200, 520,200 larger than the number of people who left jobs, totaling 7,981,000. The hiring rate, which is the ratio to the number of regular employees at the beginning of the year, was 16.4%, growing 1.2 points from the previous year. The turnover rate was 15.4%, also increasing 0.4 points from a year earlier. The employment excess rate, or the difference between the hiring and turnover rates, stood at 1.0 point, expanding by 0.8 points year-on-year.
[2] Reasons for changing jobs
Regarding reasons for changing jobs, “other personal reasons” and “other reasons (including temporary transfer to other companies)” were most common. Following are other common reasons for male and female workers in individual age groups.
(Men)
19 or younger: Poor working conditions, such as work hours or holidays 28.4%
20-24: Poor working conditions, such as work hours or holidays 11.4%
25-29: Lack of interest in work 14.1%
30-34: Low salaries 14.1%
35-39: Poor workplace relationships / Low salaries 11.3%
40-44: Poor workplace relationships 14.6%
45-49: Poor workplace relationships 11.1%
50-54: Lack of interest in work 10.9%
55-59: Poor workplace relationships 12.9%
60-64: Mandatory retirement, expiration of employment contract 54.6%
65 or older: Mandatory retirement, expiration of employment contract 61.0%
(Women)
19 or younger: Poor workplace relationships 22.9%
20-24: Poor working conditions, such as work hours or holidays 15.6%
25-29: Poor working conditions, such as work hours or holidays 18.4%
30-34 Poor workplace relationships 9.6%
35-39: Poor workplace relationships 13.1%
40-44: Poor working conditions, such as work hours or holidays 17.6%
45-49: Poor workplace relationships 18.7%
50-54: Mandatory retirement, expiration of employment contract 10.1%
55-59: Poor workplace relationships 15.7%
60-64: Mandatory retirement, expiration of employment contract 43.3%
65 or older: Mandatory retirement, expiration of employment contract 31.0%
Reasons for leaving jobs vary according to workers’ ages. This illustrates different circumstances surrounding workers, such as their perspectives on work or work-life balance. As hiring becomes increasingly difficult, how to retain staff is a primary issue for companies. Please check if it is necessary to reexamine working conditions or workplace environment and make necessary changes to secure workers.
[Reference]
The Labour Ministry, “Overview of FY2023 Survey on Employment Trends”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/itiran/roudou/koyou/doukou/24-2/index.html
