Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Korea
South Korea: Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 910.12 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Korea, 2003–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Korea is 910.12, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 36.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Korea peaked at 1,640 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.71, in 2004.
South Korea ranks 7th of 89 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2.46 | — |
| 2004 | 1.71 | -30.8% |
| 2006 | 2.7 | +57.9% |
| 2007 | 3.74 | +38.9% |
| 2015 | 1,427 | +38023.7% |
| 2016 | 1,347 | -5.6% |
| 2017 | 1,393 | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 1,470 | +5.6% |
| 2019 | 1,453 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 1,601 | +10.2% |
| 2021 | 1,640 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 1,350 | -17.7% |
| 2023 | 1,042 | -22.9% |
| 2024 | 928.97 | -10.8% |
| 2025 | 910.12 | -2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.65 | 1.71 | 3.74 | 4 |
| 2010s | 1,418 | 1,347 | 1,470 | 5 |
| 2020s | 1,245 | 910.12 | 1,640 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More work & labour data for South Korea
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 16,840 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 63.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 29,824 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 62.02 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 0.9719 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate -0.1065 % change on previous year (2027)
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 64.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Korea?
- Discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in South Korea was 910.12 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1,640 in 2021.
- What is the lowest discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.71 in 2004.
- How does South Korea rank for discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- South Korea ranks 7th out of 89 countries with data for 2025.
- Is discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. Discouraged job-seekers refer to those persons of working age who during a specified reference period were without work and available for work, but did not look for work in the recent past for specific reasons (for example, believing that there were no jobs available, believing there were none for which they would qualify, or having given up hope of finding employment). Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.