Heatwaves at work: Typology and spatial distributions of occupations exposed to heatwaves in Korea

Adapting to heatwaves and other climate change impacts requires identifying vulnerable demographic segments within regions. However, investigations into the spatial distribution of heatwave-vulnerable workers and its implications for local economies have been limited. This study categorizes occupations exposed to heatwaves into five subgroups and analyzes temporal changes in their spatial distributions via a spatial Markov chain model. The results indicate significant heterogeneity in vulnerability among heatwave-exposed occupations, with variations in income, foreign worker proportions, and job instability. The analysis reveals that heatwave-exposed workers are primarily concentrated outside the capital region. Group 3 (manufacturing) exhibited notable industrial clustering, whereas Group 5 (agriculture and fishery) presented high and stable concentrations in rural areas. Conversely, Group 4 (low-skilled and market-sensitive) demonstrates substantial spatial variability. Spatial Markov chain analysis highlights Group 3′s strong agglomeration tendencies influenced by neighboring cities, whereas Group 5 shows minimal spatial effects. Groups 2 and 4 experience considerable shifts in spatial distribution, with Group 2 showing only a 68.7 % probability of sustaining high concentration and Group 4 showing a 62.7 % probability. Recommendations for adaptation strategies and future research related to the economic impacts of climate change are provided on the basis of these findings.