home
docs

South Korea Employment industry 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Employment industry in South Korea stood at 23.38% in 2025, according to World Bank. The latest value is down 0.28 percentage points from 23.66% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 25.43% (down 2.04 percentage points since). The latest value is the lowest since 1991; the highest was 37.16% in 1991. South Korea ranked 50th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; Oman ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Unit: % · Category: Labor and Employment · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1991–2025
Read full description

What is Employment industry?

Employment industry, measured in %, reflects labor market conditions in South Korea, indicating the balance between available workers and job openings. It serves as a crucial signal of economic health, consumer spending capacity, and social stability. Labor market data typically includes multiple dimensions: unemployment rates, employment-to-population ratios, labor force participation, and wage growth. Each metric captures different aspects of job market dynamics — for example, the unemployment rate counts only those actively seeking work, while the participation rate reveals how many working-age people are engaged in the labor market. In South Korea, labor statistics are gathered through household surveys, employer reports, and administrative records like unemployment benefit claims. Changes in Employment industry often precede broader economic shifts: rising unemployment typically signals slowing economic activity, while tightening labor markets may foreshadow wage pressures and inflation.

Key facts

What is the latest Employment industry in South Korea?

Employment industry in South Korea stood at 23.38% in 2025, according to World Bank.

Is Employment industry in South Korea rising or falling?

The latest value is down 0.28 percentage points from 23.66% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 25.43% (down 2.04 percentage points since).

How does South Korea rank for Employment industry?

South Korea ranked 50th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; Oman ranked first.

What is the highest Employment industry on record in South Korea?

The latest value is the lowest since 1991; the highest was 37.16% in 1991.

Metadata for Employment industry in South Korea
IndicatorEmployment industry
CountrySouth Korea
CategoryLabor and Employment
Unit%
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Current rate: 23.38% (2025)

Loading chart...

Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Employment industry — South Korea [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/employment-industry/KOR. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.IND.EMPL.ZS?locations=KR

MLA

World Bank. "Employment industry — South Korea." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/employment-industry/KOR. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.IND.EMPL.ZS?locations=KR.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Employment industry — South Korea." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/employment-industry/KOR. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.IND.EMPL.ZS?locations=KR.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_employment_industry_kor,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Employment industry --- South Korea}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/employment-industry/KOR},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.IND.EMPL.ZS?locations=KR}
}