Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea
Korea: Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) was 72.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea is 72.0%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea peaked at 74.3% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 70.7%, in 2009.
Korea ranks 71st of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 71.4% | — |
| 1991 | 72.8% | +2.0% |
| 1992 | 73.4% | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 73.5% | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 74.1% | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 74.3% | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 74.2% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 74.0% | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 73.1% | -1.3% |
| 1999 | 72.5% | -0.8% |
| 2000 | 71.9% | -0.7% |
| 2001 | 72.0% | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 72.7% | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 72.6% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 72.8% | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 72.3% | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 71.9% | -0.5% |
| 2007 | 71.8% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 71.1% | -1.0% |
| 2009 | 70.7% | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 70.7% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 71.1% | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 71.5% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 71.9% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 72.7% | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 72.8% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 72.7% | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 72.8% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 72.4% | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 72.3% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 71.5% | -1.1% |
| 2021 | 71.6% | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 72.7% | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 72.6% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 72.2% | -0.5% |
| 2025 | 72.0% | -0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 73.3% | 71.4% | 74.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 72.0% | 70.7% | 72.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 72.1% | 70.7% | 72.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 72.1% | 71.5% | 72.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Korea
- 68 Timor-Leste 72.2% compare
- 69 Republic of Moldova 72.2% compare
- 70 Palestine, State of 72.1% compare
- 72 Chile 71.9% compare
- 73 Netherlands 71.9% compare
- 74 Türkiye 71.9% compare
More work & labour data for 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)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 2.96 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 0.78 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 97,052 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 65,686 (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea?
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) in Korea was 72.0% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) recorded in Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 74.3% in 1995.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) recorded in Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 70.7% in 2009.
- How does Korea rank for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+)?
- Korea ranks 71st out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) rising or falling in Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Korea data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.