South Korea Employment Rate
Employment to population ratio, ages 15+.
Employment Rate in South Korea decreased to 62.62 percent in 2025 from 62.67 percent in 2024.
South Korea Employment Rate — History
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South Korea Employment Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Employment Rate in South Korea decreased to 62.62 percent in 2025 from 62.67 percent in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 62.7%, so the latest figure is 0.0 percentage points lower.
Over the past five years the average was 62.0%, with a range from 60.3% to 62.7%. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1991 and has 35 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 94% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 62.7% (2024) and the lowest is 56.0% (1998). The long-run average is 59.7%.
Compared with other countries
Among 187 economies with recent data, South Korea ranks 54th from the top. The median across all these economies is 57.5%, so South Korea is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 6th.
Within East Asia & Pacific (29 economies with data) it ranks 14th; the regional median is 61.9%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 62.6%2025
- Previous
- 62.7%
- 5-year average
- 62.0%
- Long-run average
- 59.7%since 1991
- All-time high
- 62.7%2024
- All-time low
- 56.0%1998
- Observations
- 35Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 62.6% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2024 | 62.7% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2023 | 62.5% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2022 | 62.0% | ▲ +1.7 pp |
| 2021 | 60.3% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2020 | 59.8% | ▼ −0.8 pp |
| 2019 | 60.6% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2018 | 60.4% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 2017 | 60.6% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2016 | 60.3% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 2015 | 60.4% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 2014 | 60.4% | ▲ +0.8 pp |
| 2013 | 59.5% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2012 | 59.2% | ▲ +0.4 pp |
| 2011 | 58.8% | ▲ +0.5 pp |
| 2010 | 58.3% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2009 | 58.2% | ▼ −0.8 pp |
| 2008 | 59.0% | ▼ −0.5 pp |
| 2007 | 59.5% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 2006 | 59.5% | ▲ +0.0 pp |
| 2005 | 59.4% | ▼ −0.3 pp |
| 2004 | 59.7% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2003 | 59.1% | ▼ −0.7 pp |
| 2002 | 59.7% | ▲ +0.9 pp |
| 2001 | 58.8% | ▲ +0.6 pp |
| 2000 | 58.3% | ▲ +1.9 pp |
| 1999 | 56.4% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 1998 | 56.0% | ▼ −4.4 pp |
| 1997 | 60.4% | ▼ −0.0 pp |
| 1996 | 60.4% |
Employment Rate — South Korea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Korea highlighted.
More South Korea indicators
Understanding Employment Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
Employed people as a share of the population aged 15 and over.
How it is calculated
Employed people ÷ population aged 15+ × 100.
A rate of 52% means 52 of every 100 adults have a job.
A higher rate means more of the population is working.
A lower rate means fewer adults are employed.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
It complements the unemployment rate by capturing people who have left the labour force.
How to read it
Read alongside participation: a stable unemployment rate with a falling employment rate can mean people stopped looking for work.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS), annual data from 1991 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current employment rate of South Korea?
What is the highest and lowest employment rate of South Korea?
What does employment rate measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.