Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea
South Korea: Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) was 61.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea, 2000–2025
Source: Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea is 61.5%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea peaked at 64.5% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 60.4%, in 2012.
That places South Korea 80th out of 125 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 62.1% | — |
| 2001 | 63.3% | +1.8% |
| 2002 | 64.5% | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 62.5% | -3.1% |
| 2004 | 63.1% | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 63.1% | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 62.9% | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 62.6% | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 61.7% | -1.5% |
| 2009 | 60.5% | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 60.5% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 60.5% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 60.4% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 60.9% | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 62.3% | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 62.6% | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 62.4% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 63.0% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 62.8% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 62.7% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 61.5% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 61.3% | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 62.8% | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 62.7% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 61.8% | -1.3% |
| 2025 | 61.5% | -0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 62.6% | 60.5% | 64.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 61.8% | 60.4% | 63.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.9% | 61.3% | 62.8% | 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 (2023)
- Criminal penalties or civil remedies sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 64.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea?
- Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) in South Korea was 61.5% in 2025, according to Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 64.5% in 2002.
- What is the lowest labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.4% in 2012.
- How does South Korea rank for labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age)?
- South Korea ranks 80th out of 125 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age) rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Education and Mismatch Indicators database (EMI), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force with intermediate education (% of total working-age population with intermediate education). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The ratio of the labor force with intermediate education to the working-age population with intermediate education. Intermediate education comprises upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).