Share of the population born in another country in South Korea
South Korea: Share of the population born in another country was 3.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population born in another country in South Korea, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, share of the population born in another country in South Korea stood at 3.5%. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 36.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population born in another country in South Korea peaked at 3.5% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1990.
That places South Korea 145th out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of the population born in another country in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1995 | 0.1% | +176.9% |
| 2000 | 0.3% | +165.8% |
| 2005 | 0.5% | +56.8% |
| 2010 | 1.2% | +139.7% |
| 2015 | 2.6% | +121.7% |
| 2020 | 3.3% | +29.1% |
| 2024 | 3.5% | +5.4% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 3.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 19.9%, 18% of the median. (84 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 3.5% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.8%, 1.3× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.2% | 2.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.1882 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population born in another country in South Korea?
- Share of the population born in another country in South Korea was 3.5% in 2024, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population born in another country recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the population born in another country recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for share of the population born in another country?
- South Korea ranks 145th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population born in another country rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population born in another country. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Immigrants as a share of the total population.