South Korea: Labor force participation

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Korea

Labor force participation rate

 Latest value 64.51
 Year 2023
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1991 - 2023
 Average 62.24
 Min - Max 60.60 - 64.51
 Source The World Bank
The latest value from 2023 is 64.51 percent, an increase from 64.21 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 60.88 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1991 to 2023 is 62.24 percent. The minimum value, 60.6 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 64.51 percent was recorded in 2023. See the global rankings or world map for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Korea - Labor force participation - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Korea - Labor force participation - historical chart - 1991-2023




The labor force participation rate is the percent of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active. That includes the employed and the unemployed individuals.
Definition: 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.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Labor force 29.70 2023 million people
 Unemployment rate 2.64 2023 percent
 Female unemployment 2.69 2023 percent
 Male unemployment 2.61 2023 percent
 Youth unemployment 5.37 2023 percent
 Labor force participation 64.51 2023 percent
 Labor force: percent female 43.48 2023 percent
 Female labor force participation 55.77 2023 percent
 Male labor force participation 73.34 2023 percent
 Hours worked 1,895.79 2023 hours
 Self-employment 23.45 2022 percent
 Employment 28.59 3/2025 million employed people
 Unemployment rate 3.10 3/2025 percent
 Labor cost 120.60 Q4/2024 index points
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