Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force in South Korea
South Korea: Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force was 96.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Korea, 2011–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Korea is 96.5%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 6.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Korea peaked at 96.5% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 89.4%, in 2017.
South Korea ranks 17th of 114 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 89.6% | — |
| 2014 | 90.6% | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 89.4% | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 96.3% | +7.7% |
| 2024 | 96.5% | +0.3% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 96.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 93.1%, 1.0× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 96.5% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 87.5%, 1.1× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 89.9% | 89.4% | 90.6% | 3 |
| 2020s | 96.4% | 96.3% | 96.5% | 2 |
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)
- 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 proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Korea?
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in South Korea was 96.5% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 96.5% in 2024.
- What is the lowest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 89.4% in 2017.
- How does South Korea rank for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an?
- South Korea ranks 17th out of 114 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an account at a financial institution or mobile-money-service provider (% of adults aged 15 years and older). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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