In 2024, South Korean high schools had an average of **** students per class. This was almost half the number of students per class in 2000.

Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: % Gross data was reported at 100.197 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 100.512 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: % Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 94.323 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.836 % in 1996 and a record low of 39.005 % in 1971. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: % Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Secondary education completes the provision of basic education that began at the primary level, and aims at laying the foundations for lifelong learning and human development, by offering more subject- or skill-oriented instruction using more specialized teachers.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Private: % of Total Primary data was reported at 1.592 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.632 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Private: % of Total Primary data is updated yearly, averaging 1.427 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.788 % in 1997 and a record low of 1.135 % in 1971. Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Private: % of Total Primary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Private enrollment refers to pupils or students enrolled in institutions that are not operated by a public authority but controlled and managed, whether for profit or not, by a private body such as a nongovernmental organization, religious body, special interest group, foundation or business enterprise.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

In 2024, a high school student in South Korea spent an average of ******* South Korean won per month on private education, which increased from about ******* won in the previous year. The average private education spending by high school students has been steadily increasing in recent years. South Korea's Competitive Education System Attending a prestigious university in South Korea is traditionally seen as a pathway to obtaining a high social status. As a result, Korean students engage in fierce competition to excel in all school subjects, including mathematics, English, music, and even sports. This competition intensifies in high school as students begin preparing for the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test, known as Suneung in Korean. High school students often stay late at school for self-study sessions scheduled by the school and then proceed to additional private tutoring. Education in South Korea South Korea's mandatory education comprises six years of primary education and three years of secondary education. The majority of citizens continue their education in secondary schools and pursue higher education degrees. The university enrollment rate was over ** percent in 2023, making it one of the highest among OECD countries.

Korea School Enrollment: Preprimary: % Gross data was reported at 94.768 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 93.442 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Preprimary: % Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 33.526 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.768 % in 2015 and a record low of 2.471 % in 1971. Korea School Enrollment: Preprimary: % Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Preprimary education refers to programs at the initial stage of organized instruction, designed primarily to introduce very young children to a school-type environment and to provide a bridge between home and school.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

In 2024, the average number of students in South Korean elementary schools was about **. This was about half of the number in 2000.

North Korea: Preprimary school enrollment, percent of all eligible children: The latest value from is percent, unavailable from percent in . In comparison, the world average is 0.00 percent, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for North Korea from to is percent. The minimum value, percent, was reached in while the maximum of percent was recorded in .

In 2023, the male student population aged 10 years old weighed **** kilograms on average. Their female counterparts recorded an average weight of **** kilograms. Female elementary students in South Korea generally weighed less on average than their male counterparts.

Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Male: % Net data was reported at 96.534 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 94.188 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Male: % Net data is updated yearly, averaging 98.242 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.903 % in 1980 and a record low of 93.907 % in 2013. Korea School Enrollment: Primary: Male: % Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Net enrollment rate is the ratio of children of official school age who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age. Primary education provides children with basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills along with an elementary understanding of such subjects as history, geography, natural science, social science, art, and music.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

In 2023, South Korean high school students were among the tallest in Asia, with male students aged 16 years old averaging ***** cm and female students averaging ***** cm. Both South Korean men and women have seen drastic increases in height over the past century, and in the case of women, the change in average height is the largest increase for any population in the world. Height is linked to health The average height of a population can be a good indicator for the overall health of that country; aside from genetic factors, nutrition and childhood infections play an important role in how a child will develop in terms of growth. South Koreans can expect to live longer these days; the average life expectancy at birth has steadily increased and was at **** years as of 2022. Women are expected to live slightly longer than men by around five years. The average weight of South Korean high school students has also generally increased over the years, which may suggest nutrition has improved. However, as with many other OECD countries, the obesity rate has also increased among the population.

In 2023, the average male middle school student in South Korea weighed **** kilograms, while the average female student weight **** kilograms. The weight of middle school students in Korea has changed dramatically in recent years. The average height also increased, but the increase in body weight was noticeably greater than in the height. Education fever and healthSouth Korea is known as a country with “education fever”. To study in a good high school, a good university, and eventually work in a good company, students are working hard to get the best possible score in their respective positions. However, most students are suffering from lack of sleep and unbalanced eating habits due to prolonged study times combined with their regular schedule at school and private education. The obesity rate of South Korean students has also increased over the years, alongside the average weight. Obesity in South KoreaThe obesity rate refers to the population rate with a body mass index (BMI) of over **. As of 2022, more than one third of the population were considered obese, showing a steady increase since 2008. The age group with the largest rate of obesity was the population in their forties, however, the obesity rate of the young population aged 19 to 29 years old has experienced rapid growth over the years.

In 2023, the female elementary student population aged ten years old was ***** centimeters on average. The recorded heights for female students was consistently slightly taller than that of male students, whose average height that year amounted to ***** centimeters.

As of April 2025, the average annual tuition fees for medical students at universities in South Korea stood at approximately ***** million South Korean won. Meanwhile, students in liberal arts and social sciences spent an average of about **** million won annually. Rising university tuition costs The cost of university tuition in South Korea has gradually increased each year. Many students resort to part-time work to cover these steep expenses. In response, the government has exerted pressure on universities to refrain from raising tuition fees. Consequently, the tuition fees of public universities have remained relatively stable in recent years. However, private universities continue to raise their tuition annually, as their financial management is relatively free from government regulations. Higher education in South Korea While university enrollment rates in South Korea have steadily increased over the past few decades, the number of students has declined in recent years. South Korea boasts numerous colleges and universities, yet the competition for admission to top-tier institutions remains fierce. Consequently, students often turn to private after-school tutoring to enhance their chances of gaining acceptance.

Korea School Enrollment: Tertiary: Female: % Gross data was reported at 80.567 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 80.201 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Tertiary: Female: % Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 31.525 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.804 % in 2010 and a record low of 3.436 % in 1971. Korea School Enrollment: Tertiary: Female: % Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Tertiary education, whether or not to an advanced research qualification, normally requires, as a minimum condition of admission, the successful completion of education at the secondary level.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Primary and Secondary School Enrollment: Gross data was reported at 1.003 Ratio in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.002 Ratio for 2014. Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Primary and Secondary School Enrollment: Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 0.997 Ratio from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.015 Ratio in 1996 and a record low of 0.878 Ratio in 1971. Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Primary and Secondary School Enrollment: Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gender parity index for gross enrollment ratio in primary and secondary education is the ratio of girls to boys enrolled at primary and secondary levels in public and private schools.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data was reported at 97.721 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 98.675 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data is updated yearly, averaging 92.202 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.675 % in 2014 and a record low of 42.118 % in 1971. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Net enrollment rate is the ratio of children of official school age who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age. Secondary education completes the provision of basic education that began at the primary level, and aims at laying the foundations for lifelong learning and human development, by offering more subject- or skill-oriented instruction using more specialized teachers.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Private: % of Total Secondary data was reported at 31.229 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 31.045 % for 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Private: % of Total Secondary data is updated yearly, averaging 32.297 % from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2015, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 41.446 % in 1998 and a record low of 31.045 % in 2014. Korea School Enrollment: Secondary: Private: % of Total Secondary data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Private enrollment refers to pupils or students enrolled in institutions that are not operated by a public authority but controlled and managed, whether for profit or not, by a private body such as a nongovernmental organization, religious body, special interest group, foundation or business enterprise.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: % of Primary School Age Children data was reported at 97.343 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 94.672 % for 2014. Korea Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: % of Primary School Age Children data is updated yearly, averaging 98.687 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.947 % in 1980 and a record low of 94.451 % in 2013. Korea Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: % of Primary School Age Children data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adjusted net enrollment is the number of pupils of the school-age group for primary education, enrolled either in primary or secondary education, expressed as a percentage of the total population in that age group.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Tertiary School Enrollment: Gross data was reported at 0.770 Ratio in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.763 Ratio for 2014. Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Tertiary School Enrollment: Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 0.566 Ratio from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2015, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.770 Ratio in 2015 and a record low of 0.311 Ratio in 1980. Korea Gender Parity Index (GPI): Tertiary School Enrollment: Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gender parity index for gross enrollment ratio in tertiary education is the ratio of women to men enrolled at tertiary level in public and private schools.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

North Korea KP: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Gross data was reported at 92.488 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 102.103 % for 2009. North Korea KP: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Gross data is updated yearly, averaging 97.295 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2015, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 102.103 % in 2009 and a record low of 92.488 % in 2015. North Korea KP: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Gross data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Secondary education completes the provision of basic education that began at the primary level, and aims at laying the foundations for lifelong learning and human development, by offering more subject- or skill-oriented instruction using more specialized teachers.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).