SEOUL — South Korea could face a shortage of about 110,000 elderly care workers by 2028, highlighting the need to expand the role of foreign caregivers and ensure equal labor protections, according to a report by the Korea Immigration Service Foundation.
The government-funded research institute said the country will need roughly 800,000 care workers nationwide by 2028, while the available workforce is projected to reach only about 690,000, leaving a significant gap.
The shortage is partly due to the aging of the current workforce. Government data shows that of the 657,104 people working in the care sector in 2024, about 66 percent were aged 60 or older.
Foreign caregivers remain a small part of the sector, with only 6,644 workers recorded in 2024. Researchers said expanding the participation of migrant workers and integrating them into the long-term care system could help address the shortage.
However, the report cautioned that bringing in foreign caregivers without careful planning could create an oversupply in some areas of the labor market. It recommended improving workforce planning, including clearer projections on care demand, service types, and employment structures.
The institute also warned that limiting foreign caregivers to the E-7 visa for skilled professionals may reduce the country’s competitiveness in recruiting care workers globally. Instead, researchers suggested allowing workers holding the E-9 visa for nonprofessional employment to join caregiver training programs and later transition to the E-7 visa after gaining professional qualifications.
To help foreign workers adapt, the report proposed pairing them with Korean caregivers in two-person teams during the early stages of employment. Authorities were also urged to guarantee equal rights and fair treatment for both local and foreign care workers while strengthening oversight of private recruitment agencies.
Researchers added that broader multicultural awareness training for employers and care recipients is needed to improve acceptance of foreign caregivers and reduce potential workplace conflicts as the country grapples with rapid population aging.
