In 2022, the average height of South Korean men in their thirties lay at ****** centimeters. Men in older age groups tended to be shorter. On average, South Korean men were ****** centimeters tall that year. Diet and healthcare in South Korea It has been observed that improvements in nutrition and healthcare lead to increased average height over time. With the rapid industrialization in South Korea came improvements in healthcare and nutritional intake. South Korea ranks among the leading countries in the health index, which measures a population’s health and a country’s healthcare system. Even with an excellent healthcare system, South Koreans have increasingly been concerned about their diet and nutrition, exemplified by the share of people trying to consume certain nutrients every day. Height preferences in South Korea  According to a 2019 survey, for most respondents the preferred height for South Korean men was higher than the current average. This discrepancy was similar for the preferred height for women, showing how preferences for taller people stretched across genders. Not only are South Koreans preferring taller partners, but they are also getting taller over time. Another survey found that the ideal height for a spouse in the country came closer to the average height of younger generations.

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 2022, South Korean men aged 20 to 29 years old were ****** centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was ****** centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 50 to 59 years old were 157.9 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was 158.26 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 20 to 29 years old were ****** centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was ****** centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 30 to 39 years old were ****** centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was ****** centimeters.

In 2023, middle school boys had an average height of ***** centimeters, while middle school girls were ***** centimeters on average. While the height of middle school students in Korea has been steadily increasing, in recent years this growth has slowed. Compared to 2000, boys' average height has increased by eight centimeters, while girls' increased by three centimeters. South Korean school systemThe South Korean school system is divided into elementary school, middle school, high school, and university. Six years of elementary school and three years of middle school education are compulsory. When students enter middle school, the level of happiness decreases sharply due to the full-fledged university entrance examination process. In general, students will wear uniforms starting from middle school, with restricted clothing and hair style. The total number of schools at all levels in South Korea, from kindergarten to graduate school, was over ****** in 2023. In recent years, the number of students per class in schools across all levels has significantly decreased due to continued lower birth rates. For example, the number of students per class in middle schools fell from ** in 2000 to **** in 2023. The South Korean school year consists of two semesters; the Spring semester from March to June and the Fall semester from September to December, with graduation in February. Private education in South KoreaIn 2023, around **** percent of Korea's primary and secondary students participated in private education. Despite the government's efforts to strengthen the public education system, the participation rate in private education remains high. The participation rate of private education by school level was highest for elementary school students and lowest for high school students in terms of increasing after-school hours. Mathematics was the school subject with the highest participation rate in private education, closely followed by English. Korean students spent *** hours a week in private tutoring, with the most common method being to attend a private academy after school. Participation in private tutoring was not dependent on students’ academic performance, but is rather based on preparing for university entrance exams. The average monthly tutoring cost per student increased to ******* won in 2023.

In 2022, the average height of South Korean women in their thirties was ****** centimeters, with women in their twenties having a very similar average height. On average, South Korean women were ****** centimeters tall, and older women tended to be shorter. Average height increases slowly The average height of women in South Korea has seen a noticeable increase over the past decade. In 2012, women in their twenties were ****** centimeters on average. However, the average height grew by around **** centimeters in the past ten years. The change could be attributed to improvements in overall nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions in the country. The South Korean beauty standard In a survey, South Korean women were asked about their preferred height range, and their answers fell between *** to *** centimeters. Women not only have a preferred height for themselves but also for their future spouses. Single women’s ideal height for their potential husbands was at around ***** centimeters, while single men wished for their potential wives to be *** centimeters tall.

South Korea Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data was reported at 5.500 % in 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.500 % for 2023. South Korea Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 6.700 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2024, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.500 % in 2002 and a record low of 5.500 % in 2024. South Korea Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate 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: Social: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight children is the percentage of children under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.;UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME).;Weighted average;Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues. Estimates are modeled estimates produced by the JME. Primary data sources of the anthropometric measurements are national surveys. These surveys are administered sporadically, resulting in sparse data for many countries. Furthermore, the trend of the indicators over time is usually not a straight line and varies by country. Tracking the current level and progress of indicators helps determine if countries are on track to meet certain thresholds, such as those indicated in the SDGs. Thus the JME developed statistical models and produced the modeled estimates.

Key information about South Korea Household Income per Capita

• South Korea Annual Household Income per Capita reached 19,208.928 USD in Dec 2024, compared with the previous value of 19,230.954 USD in Dec 2023.
• South Korea Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2003 to Dec 2024, with an averaged value of 14,290.376 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19,230.954 USD in Dec 2023 and a record low of 7,685.194 USD in Dec 2003.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of South Korea dropped 0.473 % YoY in May 2023.

CEIC calculates Annual Household Income per Capita from quarterly Monthly Household Income multiplied by 3 and quarterly Average Household Size and converts it into USD. Statistics Korea provides Household Income in local currency and Average Household Size. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Income excludes single person and farm households. Household Income per Capita prior to 2019 is based on old methodology.

South Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data was reported at 1.800 % in 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.800 % for 2023. South Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.900 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2024, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.500 % in 2003 and a record low of 1.700 % in 2020. South Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate 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: Social: Health Statistics. Prevalence of stunting is the percentage of children under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.;UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME).;Weighted average;Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Frequent illness saps the nutritional status of those who survive, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth (UNICEF). Being even mildly underweight increases the risk of death and inhibits cognitive development in children. And it perpetuates the problem across generations, as malnourished women are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies. Stunting, or being below median height for age, is often used as a proxy for multifaceted deprivation and as an indicator of long-term changes in malnutrition. Estimates are modeled estimates produced by the JME. Primary data sources of the anthropometric measurements are national surveys. These surveys are administered sporadically, resulting in sparse data for many countries. Furthermore, the trend of the indicators over time is usually not a straight line and varies by country. Tracking the current level and progress of indicators helps determine if countries are on track to meet certain thresholds, such as those indicated in the SDGs. Thus the JME developed statistical models and produced the modeled estimates.

Hours Worked: Health & Social Works: 1 to 9 data was reported at 148.400 Day in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: Health & Social Works: 1 to 9 data is updated monthly, averaging 148.400 Day from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: Health & Social Works: 1 to 9 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

Hours Worked: FSR: 5 to 9 data was reported at 146.300 Hour in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: FSR: 5 to 9 data is updated monthly, averaging 146.300 Hour from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: FSR: 5 to 9 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

Hours Worked: EGS: 300 & Above data was reported at 165.100 Hour in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: EGS: 300 & Above data is updated monthly, averaging 165.100 Hour from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: EGS: 300 & Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

Hours Worked: EGS: 10 & Above data was reported at 161.100 Hour in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: EGS: 10 & Above data is updated monthly, averaging 161.100 Hour from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: EGS: 10 & Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

In 2022, South Korean elderly males aged 70 to 79 years old were 165.61 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

Hours Worked: PE: Arts, Sports & Recreational: 1 to 29 data was reported at 155.900 Day in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: PE: Arts, Sports & Recreational: 1 to 29 data is updated monthly, averaging 155.900 Day from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: PE: Arts, Sports & Recreational: 1 to 29 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 30 to 39 years old were ****** centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was ****** centimeters.

Hours Worked: PE: Construction: 1 to 29 data was reported at 160.700 Day in Jan 2020. Hours Worked: PE: Construction: 1 to 29 data is updated monthly, averaging 160.700 Day from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 1 observations. Hours Worked: PE: Construction: 1 to 29 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G053: Monthly Average Hours Worked: by Industry and Size of Enterprise: KSIC 10th Revision.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 50 to 59 years old were ****** centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was ****** centimeters.