Sejong City has been ranked as the region with the highest work-life balance index in South Korea.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s 2023 report that evaluated 17 metropolitan and provincial governments based on work-life balance indicators, Sejong ranked in the top spot overall, showcasing the nation’s highest proportion of public childcare facilities  and the use of reduced working hours for childcare by small businesses. 

Based on the work-life balance indicators, the national average score for 2023 was 60-point-eight points, marking an increase of two-point-one points from the previous year.

Notably, all regions reported reduced working hours with 12 regions posting a decline in overtime, while ten regions reported an increase in the use of vacation and flexible work systems.

Following Sejong City, Incheon, which ranked ninth last year, made a notable jump to second place and Daejeon secured the third spot. 

Seoul, Busan, and Sejong respectively had held the top three positions in 2022. 

Lee Jeong-han, Director of Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, emphasized the importance of work-life balance in addressing the nation's record low birth rate, stating that the government is preparing to significantly increase parental leave benefits and expand support for flexible work systems next year.