Gyeongbuk manufacturing is still carrying the province with a 2025 manufacturing PMI of 52.3 and a 78.4 percent capacity utilization rate in 2022 that hints at how hard the system is working. Behind that steady pulse, employment shifts sharply across sectors from 120,000 in automotive to smaller but specialized workforces like 18,200 precision instruments jobs and 15,200 shipbuilding yard workers. This post brings those contrasts together, along with exports, wages, productivity, and R and D, to show how Gyeongbuk industry actually holds its shape.
Key Takeaways
- Manufacturing employment in Gyeongbuk totaled 450,000 persons in 2022
- Automotive sector employed 120,000 workers in Gyeongbuk as of 2023
- POSCO and affiliates employed 28,500 in Pohang in 2022
- Gyeongbuk manufacturing exports totaled 65.4 trillion KRW in 2022
- Automotive parts exports from Gyeongbuk reached 18.2 trillion KRW in 2023, to US and EU mainly
- POSCO steel exports: 15.6 million tons from Pohang in 2022
- Gyeongbuk industry R&D expenditure was 4.2 trillion KRW in 2022
- POSCO R&D investment: 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023, focused on green steel
- Automotive parts R&D spending: 850 billion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
- In 2022, Gyeongbuk's manufacturing industry accounted for 42.5% of the province's total GRDP, totaling 85.3 trillion KRW
- Pohang Steelworks (POSCO) produced 41.2 million tons of crude steel in Gyeongbuk in 2023, representing 70% of Korea's total steel output
- Gyeongbuk's automotive parts production reached 25.6 trillion KRW in 2022, with over 1,200 companies involved
- Gyeongbuk industrial contribution to provincial GRDP: 42% in 2023
- Multiplier effect of manufacturing: 2.45 in Gyeongbuk economy 2022
- Tax revenue from industry: 15.2 trillion KRW in 2023
Gyeongbuk manufacturing employs 450,000 workers and drives major export and R&D growth in 2023.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Data23 stats
01
Manufacturing employment in Gyeongbuk totaled 450,000 persons in 2022
02
Automotive sector employed 120,000 workers in Gyeongbuk as of 2023
03
POSCO and affiliates employed 28,500 in Pohang in 2022
04
Gumi electronics cluster had 95,000 jobs in manufacturing in 2023
05
Machinery industry employment was 65,000 in Gyeongbuk 2022
06
Shipbuilding yards in Gyeongbuk employed 15,200 workers in 2023
07
Textile and apparel sector jobs numbered 42,000 in 2022
08
Petrochemical plants employed 18,000 in Gyeongbuk 2023
09
Bio-industry workforce was 12,500 in 2022
10
Metal processing employment totaled 35,000 in Gyeongbuk 2023
11
Food processing jobs in Andong-Yeongju area: 22,000 in 2022
12
Furniture manufacturing employed 10,500 workers in 2023
13
Rubber and plastics sector had 28,000 employees in Gyeongbuk 2022
14
Ceramics industry employment was 15,000 in 2023
15
Precision instruments jobs: 18,200 in Gyeongbuk 2022
16
Non-metallic minerals sector employed 20,000 in 2023
17
Printing industry workforce: 8,500 in 2022
18
Other manufacturing employed 55,000 in Gyeongbuk 2023
19
Manufacturing average wage was 4.8 million KRW/month in 2022
20
Labor productivity in manufacturing reached 320 million KRW per worker in 2023
21
Unemployment rate in industrial areas of Gyeongbuk was 2.8% in 2022
22
Female employment in Gyeongbuk manufacturing: 38% of total in 2023
23
Youth employment (under 30) in industry: 25% in 2022
Interpretation
Employment Data Interpretation
Gyeongbuk’s industrial backbone is clearly built on autos and electronics, yet its true strength lies in its remarkably diversified and productive manufacturing ecosystem, which, while not always glamorous, hums along with surprising efficiency and a solidly low unemployment rate.
02 · Category
Exports and Trade21 stats
01
Gyeongbuk manufacturing exports totaled 65.4 trillion KRW in 2022
02
Automotive parts exports from Gyeongbuk reached 18.2 trillion KRW in 2023, to US and EU mainly
03
POSCO steel exports: 15.6 million tons from Pohang in 2022
04
Gumi semiconductors exported 12.8 trillion KRW worth in 2023
05
Machinery exports totaled 9.1 trillion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
06
Ship exports value: 3.5 trillion KRW in 2023
07
Textile exports from Gyeongbuk: 2.4 trillion KRW in 2022
08
Petrochemical exports: 8.7 trillion KRW in 2023
09
Bio-products exports reached 1.2 trillion KRW in 2022
10
Fabricated metals exports: 4.5 trillion KRW in 2023
11
Furniture exports: 0.9 trillion KRW in 2022, to 40 countries
12
Rubber/plastics exports: 3.2 trillion KRW in 2023
13
Ceramics exports: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2022
14
Electronic components exports from Gumi: 10.5 trillion KRW in 2023
15
Electrical equipment exports: 2.8 trillion KRW in 2022
16
Gyeongbuk export share in national total: 4.2% in 2023
17
Top export destination US: 22% of Gyeongbuk exports in 2022
18
China imports for industry: 12.3 trillion KRW in 2023
19
Trade surplus in manufacturing: 45.6 trillion KRW in 2022
20
Gyeongbuk FDI inflow to industry: 2.1 billion USD in 2023
21
Domestic sales of manufacturing products: 120.7 trillion KRW in 2022
Interpretation
Exports and Trade Interpretation
Gyeongbuk's industrial muscle is flexing so impressively that while its automotive parts, steel, and semiconductors are busy conquering global markets, it's still finding time to dominate at home, racking up a trade surplus that would make any economy blush.
03 · Category
Investment and R&D19 stats
01
Gyeongbuk industry R&D expenditure was 4.2 trillion KRW in 2022
02
POSCO R&D investment: 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023, focused on green steel
03
Automotive parts R&D spending: 850 billion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
04
Gumi semiconductor R&D: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023
05
Machinery R&D investment totaled 450 billion KRW in 2022
06
Shipbuilding R&D: 120 billion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2023
07
Textile R&D expenditure: 95 billion KRW in 2022
08
Petrochemical R&D: 650 billion KRW in 2023
09
Bio-industry R&D: 280 billion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
10
Metal processing R&D: 210 billion KRW in 2023
11
Food processing R&D investment: 75 billion KRW in 2022
12
Furniture R&D: 45 billion KRW in 2023
13
R&D personnel in manufacturing: 35,000 in Gyeongbuk 2022
14
Patent applications from Gyeongbuk industry: 12,500 in 2023
15
R&D intensity (R&D/GDP): 2.8% in manufacturing 2022
16
Government R&D grants to industry: 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023
17
Private investment in R&D: 3.0 trillion KRW in 2022
18
Tech transfer deals: 450 in Gyeongbuk industry 2023
19
Venture startups in industry: 1,200 new in 2022
Interpretation
Investment and R&D Interpretation
It appears Gyeongbuk is putting its money where its future is, as its R&D spending—from the colossal bets on green steel and semiconductors right down to the noodle and furniture labs—paints a portrait of an industrial heavyweight meticulously retooling itself from shipyards to startups, with the receipts to prove it in patents and personnel.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics29 stats
01
In 2022, Gyeongbuk's manufacturing industry accounted for 42.5% of the province's total GRDP, totaling 85.3 trillion KRW
02
Pohang Steelworks (POSCO) produced 41.2 million tons of crude steel in Gyeongbuk in 2023, representing 70% of Korea's total steel output
03
Gyeongbuk's automotive parts production reached 25.6 trillion KRW in 2022, with over 1,200 companies involved
04
In 2023, Gumi Electronics Cluster output exceeded 30 trillion KRW, focusing on semiconductors and displays
05
Gyeongbuk machinery industry produced 12.4 trillion KRW worth of products in 2022, up 8.2% from previous year
06
Shipbuilding in Yeongilman Bay area completed 15 vessels totaling 1.2 million CGT in 2023
07
Gyeongbuk textile industry output was 4.8 trillion KRW in 2022, with 500+ firms specializing in functional fabrics
08
Petrochemical production in Ulleung-Gyeongbuk area hit 18.7 million tons in 2023
09
Gyeongbuk bio-industry produced 2.1 trillion KRW in value-added products in 2022
10
Metal processing sector in Gyeongbuk output 9.5 trillion KRW in 2023, employing advanced CNC tech
11
Food processing industry in Andong region generated 3.2 trillion KRW in 2022
12
Gyeongbuk furniture manufacturing output was 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023, with exports to 50 countries
13
Rubber and plastics sector produced 5.6 trillion KRW worth in Gyeongbuk 2022
14
Gyeongbuk ceramic products output reached 2.4 trillion KRW in 2023
15
Precision instruments manufacturing in Gyeongbuk totaled 4.1 trillion KRW in 2022
16
Gyeongbuk non-metallic minerals output was 3.7 trillion KRW in 2023
17
Printing and recording media industry produced 1.2 trillion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
18
Other manufacturing in Gyeongbuk contributed 6.3 trillion KRW to GRDP in 2023
19
Gyeongbuk coke and refined petroleum output was 10.5 trillion KRW in 2022
20
Chemical products manufacturing totaled 15.2 trillion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2023
21
Basic metals production excluding steel was 7.8 trillion KRW in 2022
22
Fabricated metal products output reached 11.4 trillion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2023
23
Electronic components production in Gumi was 22.1 trillion KRW in 2022
24
Electrical equipment manufacturing totaled 8.9 trillion KRW in 2023
25
Transport equipment excluding autos produced 4.5 trillion KRW in Gyeongbuk 2022
26
Gyeongbuk manufacturing PMI averaged 52.3 in 2023, indicating expansion
27
Capacity utilization rate in Gyeongbuk manufacturing was 78.4% in 2022
28
Value added per worker in manufacturing was 145 million KRW in 2023
29
Gyeongbuk industrial production index rose 5.2% YoY in 2023
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Move over "Game of Thrones"—Gyeongbuk's economy is a real-life drama where steel, silicon, and ships rule absolutely, proving that modern manufacturing is the true iron throne of regional prosperity.
05 · Category
Regional Economic Impact10 stats
01
Gyeongbuk industrial contribution to provincial GRDP: 42% in 2023
02
Multiplier effect of manufacturing: 2.45 in Gyeongbuk economy 2022
03
Tax revenue from industry: 15.2 trillion KRW in 2023
04
Industrial cluster development investment: 5.6 trillion KRW since 2010
05
Poverty reduction rate due to industry: 12% in rural Gyeongbuk 2022
06
Income per capita in industrial cities: 38 million KRW in 2023 vs provincial 28m
07
Infrastructure investment for industry: 3.4 trillion KRW in 2022
08
Energy consumption by industry: 45% of provincial total in 2023
09
Environmental investment by firms: 850 billion KRW in 2022
10
SMEs in industry: 28,000 firms contributing 60% output in 2023
Interpretation
Regional Economic Impact Interpretation
It seems Gyeongbuk’s industrial sector is not just the province’s economic engine but also its favorite overachiever, generating nearly half the GRDP, boosting incomes significantly, and quietly paying for its party by investing heavily in its own infrastructure and environment.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Gyeongbuk Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gyeongbuk-industry-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Gyeongbuk Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gyeongbuk-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Gyeongbuk Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gyeongbuk-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level