Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea

South Korea: Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate was 81.2% in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)
81.2%
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
65th
of 236 countries
All-time high
82.0%
in 2010
All-time low
20.5%
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025

Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea, 1950–2025

20406080195019872025

Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea is 81.2%, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of down 0.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea peaked at 82.0% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 20.5%, in 1950.

South Korea ranks 65th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 23.9% 20.5% 27.0% 10
1960s 32.1% 27.7% 38.7% 10
1970s 47.5% 40.7% 54.9% 10
1980s 64.3% 56.7% 72.5% 10
1990s 77.5% 74.0% 79.4% 10
2000s 81.0% 79.6% 81.9% 10
2010s 81.7% 81.3% 82.0% 10
2020s 81.2% 81.2% 81.2% 6

Countries ranked near South Korea

  1. 62 Germany 82.1% compare
  2. 63 Falkland Islands 81.5% compare
  3. 64 Bahamas 81.3% compare
  4. 66 Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba 81.1% compare
  5. 67 Spain 80.5% compare
  6. 68 American Samoa 80.5% compare

See the full ranking of 237 places →

More work & labour data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea?
Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate in South Korea was 81.2% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest urban population vs. female labor force participation rate recorded in South Korea?
The highest recorded value was 82.0% in 2010.
What is the lowest urban population vs. female labor force participation rate recorded in South Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 20.5% in 1950.
How does South Korea rank for urban population vs. female labor force participation rate?
South Korea ranks 65th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
Is urban population vs. female labor force participation rate rising or falling in South Korea?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Korea data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Urban population vs. female labor force participation rate
Unit
%
Source
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
237 places, 18,012 data points, 1950–2025
Last refreshed

Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.