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.

Korea Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment data was reported at 18.750 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 18.340 % for 2016. Korea Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 17.690 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2017, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.360 % in 2011 and a record low of 15.840 % in 2009. Korea Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Part time employment refers to regular employment in which working time is substantially less than normal. Definitions of part time employment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: More and more women are working part-time and one of the concern is that part time work does not provide the stability that full time work does.

In 2024, about *** million married women left the workforce in South Korea. However, the number of married women leaving their jobs has gradually decreased over the past few years. In 2024, about ** percent of married women were classified as career breakers.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea for the time period of 2023, only eight percent of respondents stated that they returned to work after maternity leave. 15 percent took childcare leave after finishing their maternity leave.

In 2024, about **** percent of employees in the household services industry in South Korea were women. This sector includes various services, such as cooking, housekeeping, personal assistance, and tutoring. The total share of female employees across all industries was about ** percent that year.

Employment in industry, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in South Korea was reported at 12.75 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Employees, industry, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, approximately **** percent of women in South Korea aged 15 years and older participated in the labor force, marking a slight increase from the previous year. The female labor force participation rate in South Korea has steadily risen in recent years. However, it remains significantly below the average of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
South Korean women in the labor market An increasing number of women in South Korea are entering the labor market. However, they remain significantly underrepresented. For example, the share of female managers is still low, and despite some progress in recent years, women are underrepresented in fields such as law and politics. This inequality is also evident in the pay gap. South Korean women earn, on average, ** percent less than their male counterparts. Gender equality South Korea's gender divide has become increasingly prominent in recent years. While there has been progress in achieving equality for women over the past few decades, disparities between men and women still exist across all areas of society. According to a survey, discrimination against women was perceived to be more widespread than discrimination against men in various settings. Around half of the respondents considered discrimination against women in the workplace to be a serious issue, while only ** percent felt the same about discrimination against men.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in North Korea was reported at 48.21 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Korea Employment: Female: Wage and Salary Workers data was reported at 8,973.000 Person th in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,949.000 Person th for Sep 2018. Korea Employment: Female: Wage and Salary Workers data is updated monthly, averaging 6,075.500 Person th from Jan 1989 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 358 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,975.000 Person th in Jun 2018 and a record low of 3,541.000 Person th in Feb 1989. Korea Employment: Female: Wage and Salary Workers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G028: Employment: By Status of Workers.

The Korean General Social Survey (KGSS) is the South Korean version of the General Social Survey (GSS), closely replicating the original GSS of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Each round of the KGSS typically includes the topical module surveys of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), and/or the East Asian Social Survey (EASS), an international survey network of four GSS-type surveys from countries in East Asia (including China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea). Respondents were asked for their opinions on Korean society, economic issues, government performance, international relations, business, women and family matters, immigration, and social inequality. Additional questions were asked about everyday life, household and family composition, and media use. Demographic information includes age, sex, education level, household income, employment status, religious preference, political party affiliation, and political philosophy.

Korea Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment data was reported at 12.660 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.210 % for 2016. Korea Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 12.020 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2017, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.950 % in 2011 and a record low of 11.320 % in 2009. Korea Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Part time employment refers to regular employment in which working time is substantially less than normal. Definitions of part time employment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: More and more women are working part-time and one of the concern is that part time work does not provide the stability that full time work does.

In 2024, male employees worked an average of ***** hours per month, while female employees worked ***** hours. The working hours of South Korean employees have steadily decreased over the past few years, but they remain among the highest among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Korea Proportion of Time Spent on Unpaid Domestic and Care Work: Female: % of 24 Hour Day data was reported at 14.440 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 14.240 % for 2009. Korea Proportion of Time Spent on Unpaid Domestic and Care Work: Female: % of 24 Hour Day data is updated yearly, averaging 14.380 % from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.440 % in 2014 and a record low of 14.240 % in 2009. Korea Proportion of Time Spent on Unpaid Domestic and Care Work: Female: % of 24 Hour Day 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: Health Statistics. The average time women spend on household provision of services for own consumption. Data are expressed as a proportion of time in a day. Domestic and care work includes food preparation, dishwashing, cleaning and upkeep of a dwelling, laundry, ironing, gardening, caring for pets, shopping, installation, servicing and repair of personal and household goods, childcare, and care of the sick, elderly or disabled household members, among others.; ; National statistical offices or national database and publications compiled by United Nations Statistics Division; ;

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in North Korea was reported at 89.58 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Ratio of female to male labor participation rate - 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 **** percent. This was closely followed by the employment rate for women aged 30 to 34, which stood at **** 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.

Retirement Age Women in South Korea remained unchanged at 60 Years in 2025 from 60 Years in 2024. This dataset provides - South Korea Retirement Age Women - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2024, over ** percent of male respondents cited financial concerns as the main reason for not getting married. Among female respondents, the primary reason was not having found the right person, with **** percent of responses. Declining marriage rate In South Korea, marriages have gradually decreased, falling below ******* per year. Alongside this decrease in marriages, the country has seen a significant drop in birth rates, which stood at **** births per woman in 2024. Births per woman dropped below one in 2018 and have declined since. Changing roles of women Many South Korean women are becoming career-driven, prioritizing work over starting a family early. This trend has become evident in South Korea's employment rates. The number of employed women has gradually risen over the years, but has remained lower than that of men. Despite this progress, gender inequality in employment and the pay gap continue to be significant issues. Although this number has declined, many women still leave the workforce after marriage.

Korea Nonpregnant and Nonnursing Women Can Do the Same Jobs as Men: 1=Yes; 0=No data was reported at 0.000 NA in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 NA for 2015. Korea Nonpregnant and Nonnursing Women Can Do the Same Jobs as Men: 1=Yes; 0=No data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 NA from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. Korea Nonpregnant and Nonnursing Women Can Do the Same Jobs as Men: 1=Yes; 0=No 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: Policy and Institutions. Non-pregnant and non-nursing women can do the same jobs as men indicates whether there are specific jobs that women explicitly or implicitly cannot perform except in limited circumstances. Both partial and full restrictions on women’s work are counted as restrictions. For example, if women are only allowed to work in certain jobs within the mining industry, e.g., as health care professionals within mines but not as miners, this is a restriction.; ; World Bank: Women, Business and the Law.; ;

KR: Law Mandates Equal Remuneration for Females & Males for Work of Equal Value: 1=Yes; 0=No data was reported at 0.000 NA in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 NA for 2015. KR: Law Mandates Equal Remuneration for Females & Males for Work of Equal Value: 1=Yes; 0=No data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 NA from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2017, with 3 observations. KR: Law Mandates Equal Remuneration for Females & Males for Work of Equal Value: 1=Yes; 0=No 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: Policy and Institutions. Law mandates equal remuneration for females and males for work of equal value is whether there is a law that obligates employers to pay equal remuneration to male and female employees who do work of equal value.“Remuneration” refers to the ordinary, basic or minimum wage or salary and any additional emoluments payable directly or indirectly, whether in cash or in kind, by the employer to the worker and arising out of the worker’s employment. “Work of equal value” refers not only to the same or similar jobs but also to different jobs of the same value.; ; World Bank: Women, Business and the Law.; ;