Reduced working hours and human capital investment: Evidence from the 40-hour workweek policy in South Korea

Minuk Song (), Jihye Park () and Chung Choe ()
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Minuk Song: Department of Economics, Konkuk University
Jihye Park: Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training
Chung Choe: Department of Economics, Konkuk University

Economics Bulletin, 2026, vol. 46, issue 2, 568 - 577

Abstract: This study analyzes the impact of working hours on vocational training, using South Korea's 40-hour workweek policy as an instrumental variable. Utilizing data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS), the results indicate that reduced working hours increase the likelihood of participating in vocational training participation and its duration, driven primarily by employer-provided training. These findings highlight how reducing working hours can influence human capital investment through vocational training.

Keywords: working hour reduction; 40-hour workweek policy; job training; instrumental variables method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I2 J3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06-30
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