According to the 2008 and 2014 censuses, it was estimated that there were 96.1 women for every 100 men in North Korea. The female-to-male ratio in North Korea is expected to decrease to about 95.6 by 2070.

Population, female (% of total population) in North Korea was reported at 50.57 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2025, South Korea's male population is projected to reach about 25.84 million, while the female population is estimated at 25.85 million. In the long term, South Korea's population is expected to decline, reaching about 36.22 million in 2072.

North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 8,885,953.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,792,444.000 Person for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 6,921,318.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,885,953.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 3,721,236.000 Person in 1960. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 15-64 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 2,569,653.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,589,223.000 Person for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 2,863,879.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,184,213.000 Person in 1975 and a record low of 2,175,117.000 Person in 1960. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Aged 0-14 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

In 2022, the sex ratio in South Korea was approximately **** men for every 100 women. By 2050, this ratio is projected to fall to **** and then increase to ***** by 2072. Gender equality in South Korea Despite the progress made in educational and economic equality for women over the past few decades, disparities between South Korean men and women continue to exist across all areas of society. In 2023, South Korean men earned over ** percent more than women, making the country’s gender pay gap the highest among OECD member countries. Although a gender quota for proportional representation in parliamentary elections has been implemented, many citizens believe these measures are insufficient for achieving gender equality in politics. As of 2024, women held only ** percent of the seats in the National Assembly. Opinions on gender discrimination According to a survey conducted in 2024, discrimination against women was perceived as more widespread than discrimination against men across various areas, including the workplace, home, and school. Over half of the respondents believed that discrimination against women in the workplace was a serious issue, while only ** percent felt the same way about discrimination against men. Additionally, when it comes to the future of gender equality in South Korean society, about ** percent of respondents expressed a lack of optimism.

In 2024, the female population in Seoul, South Korea's capital, totaled about 4.83 million, surpassing the male population of about 4.51 million. Seoul's population has been steadily declining in recent years, while the share of female residents increased.

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 6.754 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 40-44, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 6.2119 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 40-44, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

The number of males per 100 females across South Korea has varied over time for each age group. In 2023, for over 65-year olds, this ratio was the lowest at around 78.7 males per 100 females. When looking at the entire population, the gender ratio in South Korea is relatively balanced. Gender re-balancing The gender ratio has not always been as balanced as it is today. Traditional Korean values were responsible for the high sex ratio, as men were seen as more capable to support their families financially and to continue the family lineage. In order to combat this, a law was passed in 1988 preventing doctors from revealing the gender of a fetus to pregnant parents. Combined with progression in many other areas in life for women, including length of education and work opportunities, this led to South Korea becoming the "first Asian country to reverse the trend in rising sex ratios at birth". Equality for all? While the sex ratio in the country is now relatively balanced, many women in South Korea still face discrimination in other areas of life. The labor market is one area which is not equal for men and women. The gender pay gap in South Korea is still prominent, with men earning significantly more than women. As of 2019, many South Koreans believed not enough was being done to achieve gender equality in business , which highlights the population’s willingness to overcome inequality in the country.

Population ages 80 and above, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 3.2847 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 80 and above, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

North Korea KP: Population: Female data was reported at 13,023,068.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 12,961,464.000 Person for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 10,220,444.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,023,068.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 6,145,006.000 Person in 1960. North Korea KP: Population: Female 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all female residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

North Korea KP: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population data was reported at 6.039 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.924 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.934 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.416 % in 2007 and a record low of 4.414 % in 1989. North Korea KP: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 35 to 39 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

In 2024, there were about 16.4 million economically active men and around 13 million economically active women in South Korea. Although the number of economically active women and thus the female labor force participation rate in South Korea has risen steadily in recent years, it is still far below the average of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 7.2004 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2024, the employment rate of women in South Korea aged 25 to 29 was the highest among all age groups, at approximately 74.5 percent. This was closely followed by the employment rate for women aged 30 to 34, which stood at 73.5 percent.

In 2024, the employment rates in South Korea were approximately **** percent for men and **** percent for women. While the employment rate for men was significantly higher than that for women, the rate for women has steadily increased over the past decade. Gender equality in South Korea Gender equality is a crucial issue in South Korea. The country has the largest pay gap between men and women among OECD nations. Despite numerous efforts to promote women's rights, the gap remains significant across all areas of society. Although more women are taking on leadership and decision-making roles, a survey indicated that few respondents are optimistic about a near-term improvement in gender inequality. Changing perspectives on career and marriage As more women enter the workforce, fewer South Korean women choose to marry and start families. An increasing number of South Korean women are opting to delay or forgo marriage altogether, reflecting a growing sentiment that marriage is not a necessity for a fulfilling life. This trend is reflected in the country's birth rate, which has fallen to a record low of **** births per woman in 2024, making it the lowest among the OECD nations.

Population ages 70-74, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 2.9904 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 70-74, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

As of June 6, 2025, ** out of 296 seats in South Korea's National Assembly were held by women, while men held *** seats. Women only made up around ** percent of all parliamentarians. While there has been some improvement in female representation over the past decade, the percentage of women in parliament still lags behind that of many other countries.

In 2022, the average weight of men in South Korea stood at 74.33 kilograms. Women weighed less on average, standing at 58.65 kilograms. The overall average that year was 66.76 kilograms. Over the past decade, this figure has slowly increased across both genders, with women weighing less than men on average.