South Korea: immigration

How many foreigners live in South Korea?

2,874,763 foreign nationals were staying in South Korea at the end of August 2026, according to the Korea Immigration Service's monthly immigration statistics bulletin for August 2026. Asian nationals accounted for 2,465,161.

The total includes short-term visitors as well as long-term residents. The largest groups were Korean-Chinese, at 644,979, and Vietnamese, at 383,244. A narrower count of long-term residents, 2.159 million in 2025, appears in the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Social Indicators in 2025.

Official sources: Korea Immigration Service: monthly statistics, August 2026 · Ministry of Data and Statistics: Social Indicators in 2025

How many people move to and from South Korea?

South Korea's net international migration was 74,000 people in 2025, 51,000 fewer than in 2024, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' International Migration Statistics in 2025, released 9 July 2026. 685,000 people arrived and 611,000 left.

The statistics count people who stay or leave for more than 90 days. Foreigners made up 50,000 of the net gain and Koreans 24,000. Among foreigners, the largest arriving groups were Vietnamese (98,000), Chinese (94,000) and Americans (23,000). Short trips such as tourism are not included.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: International Migration Statistics in 2025

How many foreign workers does South Korea have?

350,403 foreigners held E-9 non-professional employment visas in South Korea at the end of August 2026, according to the Korea Immigration Service's monthly immigration statistics. Another 79,947 held E-8 seasonal work visas and 91,107 E-7 visas for specified professional activities.

E-9 visas are issued under the Employment Permit System, which lets firms in sectors such as manufacturing, farming and fishing hire workers from partner countries. 279,077 people held D-2 student visas. Many foreigners also work on residence visas, such as the 609,705 holders of F-4 overseas Korean visas.

Official sources: Korea Immigration Service: monthly statistics, August 2026

How many immigrants in South Korea are employed?

65.5% of foreign residents aged 15 and over in South Korea were employed in May 2025, up 0.8 points from 2024, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' 2025 Survey on Immigrants' Living Conditions and Labour Force. Their unemployment rate was 6.4%, up 0.7 points.

The survey, run with the Ministry of Justice, counted 1.692 million resident foreigners aged 15 and over, 8.4% more than a year earlier. Student numbers rose 18.2% and permanent residents 15.1%. For naturalised Koreans, the employment rate was 66.6% and the unemployment rate 4.7%.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: 2025 Survey on Immigrants' Living Conditions and Labour Force

How many refugees and asylum seekers are in South Korea?

South Korea hosted 4,407 refugees and 39,106 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR's population statistics. UNHCR also recorded 248 stateless people.

During 2025, 20,373 asylum applications were lodged, according to UNHCR's asylum applications data. Asylum seekers are people whose claims are still pending; refugees are those granted protection. Applications in South Korea are examined by the Korea Immigration Service. The figures are compiled by UNHCR from government data.

Official sources: UNHCR: population statistics, Republic of Korea, 2025 · UNHCR: asylum applications, Republic of Korea, 2025

How many immigrants live in South Korea?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 3.5%. That compares with 2.6% in 2015. It is 10th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1%. Worldwide: 108th of 193.

Are more people leaving South Korea than arriving?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in South Korea at 65,731 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -47,821 (2005) to 308,037 (2014). It is 4th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -373. Worldwide: 20th of 193.

How many refugees are in South Korea?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in South Korea was 4,407, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 631; South Korea is 7th highest of 18. Worldwide: 107th of 169.

How many refugees come from South Korea?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in South Korea at 117 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 1,333; its low point was 2023, at 107. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 73, and South Korea placed 14th highest of 29. Worldwide: 145th of 189.

How big are remittances in South Korea's economy?

In 2025, personal remittances received in South Korea was 0.4% of GDP, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.2% of GDP, and South Korea placed 12th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 99th of 127.