South Korea: jobs and pay

What share of South Koreans are in work?

63.3% of South Koreans aged 15 and over were employed in August 2026, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Economically Active Population Survey, released 9 September 2026. For ages 15 to 64 the rate was 70.4%, up 0.5 points from a year earlier.

The number of employed people reached 29.151 million, 184,000 more than in August 2025. Seasonally adjusted, the rate for ages 15 and over was 62.9%. The employment rate is often read alongside the unemployment rate, because it also captures people who are not looking for work.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Economically Active Population Survey, August 2026

Which South Korean industries are adding jobs?

Employment in business, personal and public services rose by 313,000 in the year to August 2026, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Economically Active Population Survey. Electricity, transport, communication and finance added 88,000.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing lost 109,000 jobs, wholesale and retail trade with accommodation and food lost 40,000, manufacturing 38,000 and construction 32,000. Total employment rose by 184,000. The figures compare August 2026 with August 2025 and are not seasonally adjusted.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Economically Active Population Survey, August 2026

How many South Korean men and women are in the labour force?

64.6% of South Koreans aged 15 and over were in the labour force in August 2026, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Economically Active Population Survey. The rate was 72.4% for men and 57.0% for women.

The labour force counts people who are working or looking for work. It totalled 29.739 million, while 16.297 million people were economically inactive, up 77,000 on the year. The female rate was 0.1 points higher than a year earlier and the male rate 0.1 points lower.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Economically Active Population Survey, August 2026

How many South Korean workers have regular jobs?

16.820 million South Koreans were regular employees in August 2026, 180,000 more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Economically Active Population Survey. Temporary employees fell by 50,000 to 4.889 million and daily workers by 17,000 to 817,000.

Among the self-employed, employers rose by 47,000 to 1.481 million and own-account workers by 62,000 to 4.303 million. In the survey, regular employees are those on contracts of a year or more, temporary employees those on contracts of one month to under a year, and daily workers those on shorter terms.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Economically Active Population Survey, August 2026

How much do South Korean households earn?

South Korean households earned an average of 5.295 million won a month in the second quarter of 2026, 4.5% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Household Income and Expenditure Trends, released 27 August 2026.

Employee income was 3.218 million won, up 0.8%, self-employment income 977,000 won, up 3.8%, and transfer income such as pensions and benefits 931,000 won, up 20.4%. Disposable income, after taxes and social contributions, was 4.235 million won, up 5.2%. Figures are in current won, so they are not adjusted for inflation.

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Household Income and Expenditure Trends, Q2 2026

How big is the income gap in South Korea?

The top fifth of South Korean households earned 11.15 million won a month in the second quarter of 2026, against 1.283 million won for the bottom fifth, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Household Income and Expenditure Trends. Income rose 7.5% for the bottom fifth and 3.8% for the top fifth.

For a yearly measure, the ministry's Social Indicators in 2025 report a Gini coefficient of 0.325 for 2024, based on equivalised disposable income, up 0.002 from 2023. The Gini runs from 0 (all incomes equal) to 1 (one household has all income).

Official sources: Ministry of Data and Statistics: Household Income and Expenditure Trends, Q2 2026 · Ministry of Data and Statistics: Social Indicators in 2025

How much is the minimum wage in South Korea?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in South Korea was 2,060,740 KRW a month (about $1,511) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in South Korea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2022, is $3,168 a month. Since 2012 it has ranged from $2,660 a month (2012) to $3,373 a month (2021). It is 2nd highest of 10 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $404 a month. Worldwide: 18th of 98.

How high is unemployment in South Korea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 3.9%; its low point was 2023, at 2.7%. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.9%; South Korea is 14th highest of 24. Worldwide: 147th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in South Korea?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in South Korea was 6.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.4% (2023) to 10.1% (2016). East Asia & Pacific median: 7.5%; South Korea is 15th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 136th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in South Korea?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in South Korea was 64.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 60.2% (2009) to 64.5% (2024). It is 14th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 69th highest.

How many women in South Korea are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in South Korea was 56.8% in 2025. The peak was 56.8% in 2024 and the low 49.6% in 2009. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.3%; South Korea is 12th highest of 24. Worldwide: 64th of 174.

How many people in South Korea are employed?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in South Korea was 62.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 62.7%; its low point was 2009, at 58.2%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 63.1%, and South Korea placed 13th highest of 24. Worldwide: 52nd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in South Korea?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in South Korea was 17.7%, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 40.0%; South Korea is 19th highest of 24. Worldwide: 121st of 174.

How many people in South Korea are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 77.3%. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.8%; South Korea is 6th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 57th of 174.