• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.51-72
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• 2006

In Korea, most studies have used the conventional Wolfbein and Wool method, which cannot be applied to women's work-life table because of bimodality and/or M curve of female labor force participation. The increment/decrement work-life table method, however, is equally applicable to both men and women, but requires individual data on employment transition. This paper demonstrates that the Garfinkle-Pollard method is the same as the increment/decrement work-life table method developed by Hoem, Schoen and Woodrow and adopted by BLS. The merit of Garfinkle-Pollard method is to produce work-life table using labor force participation rate without individual employment transition. This paper applies the Garfinkle-Pollard methods to the estimation and projection of work-life of Korean labor force for the period of 2000-2050, using the abridged life tables provided by Korean National Statistical Office and a projection of labor force participation rates. The work-life expectancy at 65 is 5.8 years for men and 4.1 years for women in 2000, and it increased to 7.7 years for men and 5.1 years in 2050. However, differences in work-life expectancy are found depending on the data processing of elderly labor force participation and mortality assumption. Detailed data on elderly labor force participation and further study on future mortality are required to estimate and project more accurate work-life expectancy.