International migrants, by country of destination in South Korea
South Korea: International migrants, by country of destination was 1.81 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.81 million
World rank
41st
of 231 countries
All-time high
1.81 million
in 2024
All-time low
18,499
in 1990
Years of data
8
1990–2024
International migrants, by country of destination in South Korea, 1990–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, international migrants, by country of destination in South Korea stood at 1.81 million. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 38.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, international migrants, by country of destination in South Korea peaked at 1.81 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 18,499, in 1990.
That places South Korea 41st out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
International migrants, by country of destination in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 18,499 | — |
| 1995 | 52,719 | +185.0% |
| 2000 | 144,426 | +174.0% |
| 2005 | 231,744 | +60.5% |
| 2010 | 566,098 | +144.3% |
| 2015 | 1.31 million | +131.8% |
| 2020 | 1.72 million | +31.3% |
| 2024 | 1.81 million | +5.1% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 1.81 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 334,150, 5.4× the median. (84 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 1.81 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 51,446, 35.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 35,609 | 18,499 | 52,719 | 2 |
| 2000s | 188,085 | 144,426 | 231,744 | 2 |
| 2010s | 939,134 | 566,098 | 1.31 million | 2 |
| 2020s | 1.77 million | 1.72 million | 1.81 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -1.45 (2100)
- Population density 223.86 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 599,530 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -1.45 (2100)
- Urbanization vs gdp, annual growth rate 0.007 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is international migrants, by country of destination in South Korea?
- International migrants, by country of destination in South Korea was 1.81 million in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest international migrants, by country of destination recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.81 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest international migrants, by country of destination recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 18,499 in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for international migrants, by country of destination?
- South Korea ranks 41st out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is international migrants, by country of destination rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 38.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of International migrants, by country of destination. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).