The number of employed people rose significantly in September for the first time in 10 months since the onset of the global financial crisis. A total of 23.805 million people were employed in September, up 71,000 from a year earlier and the largest growth since November last year, the National Statistical Office said Wednesday.

The number of salaried workers began to fall in December as the financial crisis cast its chill, plummeting by 100,000 to 210,000 per month from January through May. In June the number inched up by 4,000 due to government job-creation measures for the low-income bracket but plunged again by 76,000 in July.

By age, the number of employed workers in their 50s surged by 240,000 in September and in their 60s by 113,000. Employment among those aged 15 to 19 posted an increase of 7,000. But among those in their 20s to 40s, employment plummeted 10,000 to 130,000.

The unemployment rate slid 0.3 percentage points on-month in September to 3.4 percent, the lowest level this year.

The increase in employment is attributable to government measures including internship programs for young people as well as the private sector, particularly exporters and construction firms, hiring more workers amid signs of an economic recovery.