Jobs in the public sector increased by more than 150-thousand on-year in 2019, taking up nine-point-five percent of all jobs.

According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, there were two-point-six million jobs in the public sector in 2019, up by the biggest jump of 151-thousand, or six-point-one percent, from a year earlier.

Some 123-thousand new public sector jobs were created by the government, while the other 28-thousand came from public companies.

An official from the statistical agency attributed the jump to an increase in hiring by the police, fire agency and in education; a transition of temporary workers into regular positions; and the government's job project for the elderly.

Jobs in the public sector grew for all age groups, with the biggest on-year surge of 37-thousand, or 23-point-two percent, for those aged 60 or older. 

The number of public sector jobs held by men in 2019 was about one-point-19 times higher than that for women. Men had 54-point-three percent of the positions compared to women with 45-point-seven percent.