Amid 'Severe Labor Shortage,' Medical and Welfare Sector Leads All Industries in Employment Growth; 1 in 7 Workers Now a 'Care Provider' [Ministry of Internal Affairs Statistics Analysis]
An analysis by Second Labo Inc. reveals that employment in Japan's medical and welfare industry reached a record 9.45 million in fiscal 2025, marking an increase of 180,000 people—the largest of any industry. The 'care and welfare field' accounted for over 80% (150,000) of this growth. The data shows that the care sector has become a major 'employment buffer' for Japan, with half of mid-career hires coming from other industries.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 01:24 (14h 52m after Collected)
Second Labo Inc., operator of the healthcare and welfare industry job site 'Co-Medical.com,' conducted an original analysis of employment numbers in the medical and welfare industry based on the latest statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (FY2025 average).
The analysis found that the number of workers in the industry reached a record high of 9.45 million, an increase of 180,000 from the previous year, marking the largest growth among all industries. This suggests an accelerating 'labor shift' from other sectors.
A survey on the state of care labor shows that approximately half (48.2%) of mid-career care workers come from different industries. Furthermore, Second Labo's own job data indicates that over 60% of the 38,000 care job listings are open to applicants 'with no experience.' By opening its doors to the inexperienced, the medical and welfare industry is transforming into a massive 'employment buffer' for the Japanese economy.
## Sector Leads All Industries with 180,000 New Jobs, Over 80% in 'Care and Welfare'
According to the Ministry's 'Labour Force Survey (FY2025 average),' the number of workers in the medical and welfare industry hit a record 9.45 million. This accounts for about 13.8% of Japan's total workforce (68.29 million), meaning approximately '1 in 7' workers is a care provider.
The increase of 180,000 from the previous year's 9.27 million is the largest among all 20 industries. A breakdown shows that while the medical sector grew by 30,000, the 'care and welfare field' added 150,000, accounting for over 80% of the total increase.
## Newcomers from Other Industries Outnumber Experienced Hires, Shifting Recruitment Structure
The 150,000-person increase in the care and welfare field is driven by an influx from other industries.
The 'FY2024 Survey on the State of Care Labour' by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training found that about half (48.2%) of mid-career care workers transitioned from fields 'outside of care, welfare, and medicine.' This figure is 4.9 percentage points higher than those who came from within the care sector (43.3%).
This data, showing that newcomers from other industries now outnumber experienced hires in mid-career recruitment, clearly illustrates the current reality of hiring pathways in the care sector.
## [Internal Analysis] Over 60% of Care Jobs Open to Inexperienced Applicants, Expanding Acceptance
An analysis of job listings on our 'Co-Medical.com' job site found that of the 38,607 care positions, approximately 63.3% (24,449) were open to applicants 'with no experience.'
This labor shift from other industries is supported by the proactive development of receptive systems on the part of care providers. Support systems and career paths are being established to allow individuals to start without qualifications or experience and aim for national certifications like 'Initial Training for Care Workers' and 'Practical Training for Care Workers' while on the job.
While the care and welfare field has been perceived as having high psychological and technical hurdles, the establishment of this 'foundation for welcoming the inexperienced' has confirmed its function as a massive 'employment buffer' for workers from other industries, a trend now supported by job market data.
The analysis found that the number of workers in the industry reached a record high of 9.45 million, an increase of 180,000 from the previous year, marking the largest growth among all industries. This suggests an accelerating 'labor shift' from other sectors.
A survey on the state of care labor shows that approximately half (48.2%) of mid-career care workers come from different industries. Furthermore, Second Labo's own job data indicates that over 60% of the 38,000 care job listings are open to applicants 'with no experience.' By opening its doors to the inexperienced, the medical and welfare industry is transforming into a massive 'employment buffer' for the Japanese economy.
## Sector Leads All Industries with 180,000 New Jobs, Over 80% in 'Care and Welfare'
According to the Ministry's 'Labour Force Survey (FY2025 average),' the number of workers in the medical and welfare industry hit a record 9.45 million. This accounts for about 13.8% of Japan's total workforce (68.29 million), meaning approximately '1 in 7' workers is a care provider.
The increase of 180,000 from the previous year's 9.27 million is the largest among all 20 industries. A breakdown shows that while the medical sector grew by 30,000, the 'care and welfare field' added 150,000, accounting for over 80% of the total increase.
## Newcomers from Other Industries Outnumber Experienced Hires, Shifting Recruitment Structure
The 150,000-person increase in the care and welfare field is driven by an influx from other industries.
The 'FY2024 Survey on the State of Care Labour' by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training found that about half (48.2%) of mid-career care workers transitioned from fields 'outside of care, welfare, and medicine.' This figure is 4.9 percentage points higher than those who came from within the care sector (43.3%).
This data, showing that newcomers from other industries now outnumber experienced hires in mid-career recruitment, clearly illustrates the current reality of hiring pathways in the care sector.
## [Internal Analysis] Over 60% of Care Jobs Open to Inexperienced Applicants, Expanding Acceptance
An analysis of job listings on our 'Co-Medical.com' job site found that of the 38,607 care positions, approximately 63.3% (24,449) were open to applicants 'with no experience.'
This labor shift from other industries is supported by the proactive development of receptive systems on the part of care providers. Support systems and career paths are being established to allow individuals to start without qualifications or experience and aim for national certifications like 'Initial Training for Care Workers' and 'Practical Training for Care Workers' while on the job.
While the care and welfare field has been perceived as having high psychological and technical hurdles, the establishment of this 'foundation for welcoming the inexperienced' has confirmed its function as a massive 'employment buffer' for workers from other industries, a trend now supported by job market data.
FAQ
How many people in Japan's workforce are in the medical and welfare sector?
Approximately 1 in 7 workers. The number of employees reached 9.45 million in fiscal 2025, accounting for 13.8% of the total workforce.
Why is it easy to switch to a caregiving job without experience?
Due to a severe labor shortage, the industry has established a system to welcome newcomers. Over 60% of job openings are for inexperienced candidates, with ample support for qualification acquisition.
What kind of jobs did people have before switching to care work?
About half (48.2%) of mid-career hires come from industries unrelated to care, welfare, or medicine, outnumbering those who transfer from within the same field.