Unemployment rate in Korea
Korea: Unemployment rate was 2.8 in 2031. βΌ Falling
Unemployment rate in Korea, 1980β2031
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Korea is 2.8, measured in 2031.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 23.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Korea peaked at 6.95 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 2.06, in 1996.
Korea ranks 18th of 22 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 52 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.79 | 2.52 | 5.2 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.31 | 2.06 | 6.95 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.62 | 3.17 | 4.42 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.55 | 3.1 | 3.83 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.01 | 2.71 | 3.96 | 10 |
| 2030s | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Korea
More work & labour data for Korea
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 63.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 29,824 (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)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 72.0% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 78.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 56.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 71.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Korea?
- Unemployment rate in Korea was 2.8 in 2031, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 6.95 in 1998.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.06 in 1996.
- How does Korea rank for unemployment rate?
- Korea ranks 18th out of 22 countries with data for 2031.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Unemployment rate (9/26/2025). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database is created during the biannual WEO exercise, which begins in January and June of each year and results in the April and September/October WEO publication. Selected series from the publication are available in a database format.