Employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea: Employment rate, men vs. women was 70.1% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea stood at 70.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea peaked at 72.5% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 67.3%, in 1999.
That places Republic of Korea 58th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 70.9% | — |
| 1992 | 71.4% | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 71.1% | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 72.0% | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 72.5% | +0.7% |
| 1996 | 72.4% | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 71.9% | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 67.4% | -6.3% |
| 1999 | 67.3% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 68.6% | +2.0% |
| 2001 | 69.0% | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 70.2% | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 70.0% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 70.2% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 69.6% | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 69.3% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 69.4% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 68.7% | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 68.0% | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 68.2% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 68.8% | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 69.3% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 69.6% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 70.4% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 70.2% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 70.0% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 70.1% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 69.5% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 69.5% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 68.7% | -1.1% |
| 2021 | 69.0% | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 70.7% | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 70.7% | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 70.2% | -0.7% |
| 2025 | 70.1% | -0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 70.8% | 67.3% | 72.5% | 9 |
| 2000s | 69.3% | 68.0% | 70.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 69.6% | 68.2% | 70.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 69.9% | 68.7% | 70.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Republic of Korea
More work & labour data for Republic of 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 employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea?
- Employment rate, men vs. women in Republic of Korea was 70.1% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate, men vs. women recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 72.5% in 1995.
- What is the lowest employment rate, men vs. women recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 67.3% in 1999.
- How does Republic of Korea rank for employment rate, men vs. women?
- Republic of Korea ranks 58th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate, men vs. women rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate, men vs. women. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the male working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.