In 2024, around 56.3 percent of the female population in South Korea aged 15 years and older participated in the labor force, showing a slight increase from the previous year. The female labor force participation rate in South Korea has risen steadily in recent years but is still far below the average of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). South Korean women in the labor market More and more women in South Korea are actively participating in the labor market, yet they are still severely underrepresented. The comparatively low proportion of female managers, female workers in legal professions, and female lawmakers illustrates the deep-rooted gender inequality in this society that is also reflected in pay, for example, in the significantly lower female-to-male earnings ratio.This can be attributed to various social and cultural factors. After all, it is primarily women who are induced to work less due to child-rearing responsibilities. Poor chances of finding a job again after raising children cause many women to marry later or not at all. The way towards gender equality Many South Korean women are currently actively raising their voices, not least because achieving equality is a personally important issue for them. Particularly given the rapidly aging society, South Korea is thus faced with the task of reconciling work and family life and ultimately creating a sustainable social structure for everyone in the long term.

Key information about South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate

• South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 63.7 % in Feb 2025, compared with 63.4 % in the previous month.
• South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate is updated monthly, available from Jun 1999 to Feb 2025, with an average rate of 62.4 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 65.4 % in May 2024 and a record low of 59.2 % in Jan 2011.
• South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by Statistics Korea.
• In the latest reports, South Korea Population reached 51.8 million people in Dec 2024.
• Unemployment Rate of South Korea dropped to 2.7 % in Feb 2025.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 3,200.2 USD in Dec 2024.

In 2024, the labor force participation rate of men in South Korea was 72.9 percent, while that for women was 56.3 percent. Although the female labor force participation rate in South Korea has risen steadily over the last few years, it is still far below the average of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

In 2023, the labor force participation rate in South Korea was about 64.3 percent, up slightly from the previous year. That year, the labor force participation rate for men in South Korea was around 73.3 percent, while that for women was 55.6 percent.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Korea was reported at 26.95 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (modeled ILO estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Labor Force Participation Rate Male: From 15 to 24 Years for Korea (LRAC24MAKRM156S) from Jun 1999 to Jan 2025 about 15 to 24 years, Korea, males, participation, labor force, labor, and rate.

Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data was reported at 71.197 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 70.535 % for 2016. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data is updated yearly, averaging 63.478 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.197 % in 2017 and a record low of 38.199 % in 1960. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male 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: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is calculated by dividing female labor force participation rate by male labor force participation rate and multiplying by 100.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2023, Jeju had the highest labor force participation rate among the 17 major cities and provinces in South Korea, with a rate of around 70.6 percent. The national average labor force participation rate in South Korea that year stood at approximately 64.3 percent. Jeju was the only administrative area with a participation rate above 70 percent, while Busan was the only area with a rate below 60 percent.

North Korea KP: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 47.772 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 47.790 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 48.173 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.364 % in 1990 and a record low of 47.772 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force 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: Labour Force. Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database and World Bank population estimates. Labor data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 63.000 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 62.800 % for 2016. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 60.893 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63.000 % in 2017 and a record low of 36.890 % in 1977. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: % of Total Population Aged 15+ 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: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Persons Outside the Labor Force Male: From 15 to 24 Years for Korea (LFIN24MAKRM647N) from Jun 1999 to Jan 2025 about 15 to 24 years, Korea, males, labor force, and labor.

Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 28.464 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28.594 % for 2016. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 31.224 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.004 % in 1994 and a record low of 22.886 % in 2010. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: Aged 15-24 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: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 60-64 data was reported at 76.644 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 77.230 % for 2023. South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 60-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 71.032 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 40 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.415 % in 2017 and a record low of 63.030 % in 1966. South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 60-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Labor force with advanced education (% of total working-age population with advanced education) in South Korea was reported at 74.07 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Labor force with advanced education (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Korea was reported at 22.79 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (modeled ILO estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ data was reported at 73.149 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 73.152 % for 2016. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 73.623 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 75.377 % in 1997 and a record low of 72.158 % in 2010. Korea Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Population Aged 15+ 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: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2023, the labor force participation rate in Seoul, South Korea stood at 62.8 percent, a slight increase compared to the previous year. Overall, the labor force participation rate maintained similar levels during the surveyed period.

In 2022, the labor force participation rate of people aged 65 years and older in South Korea stood at 37.3 percent. This rate increased slightly over the past decade. The labor force participation rate describes the ratio between the total labor force, including both employed and unemployed people, and the total working-age population.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Labor Force Participation Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Korea (LRACTTTTKRQ156S) from Q3 1999 to Q4 2024 about 15 years +, Korea, participation, labor force, labor, and rate.