Total number of international immigrants in South Korea
South Korea: Total number of international immigrants was 1.81 million immigrants in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total number of international immigrants 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 immigrants.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total number of international immigrants in South Korea is 1.81 million immigrants, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 38.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total number of international immigrants in South Korea peaked at 1.81 million immigrants in 2024 and was at its lowest, 18,499 immigrants, in 1990.
That places South Korea 41st out of 232 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Total number of international immigrants in South Korea, year by year
| Year | immigrants | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 18,499 immigrants | — |
| 1995 | 52,719 immigrants | +185.0% |
| 2000 | 144,426 immigrants | +174.0% |
| 2005 | 231,744 immigrants | +60.5% |
| 2010 | 566,098 immigrants | +144.3% |
| 2015 | 1.31 million immigrants | +131.8% |
| 2020 | 1.72 million immigrants | +31.3% |
| 2024 | 1.81 million immigrants | +5.1% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 1.81 million immigrants is above the median for high income countries, which is 334,150 immigrants, 5.4× the median. (84 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 1.81 million immigrants is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 51,446 immigrants, 35.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 35,609 immigrants | 18,499 immigrants | 52,719 immigrants | 2 |
| 2000s | 188,085 immigrants | 144,426 immigrants | 231,744 immigrants | 2 |
| 2010s | 939,134 immigrants | 566,098 immigrants | 1.31 million immigrants | 2 |
| 2020s | 1.77 million immigrants | 1.72 million immigrants | 1.81 million immigrants | 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)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate -0.0908 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total number of international immigrants in South Korea?
- Total number of international immigrants in South Korea was 1.81 million immigrants 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 total number of international immigrants recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.81 million immigrants in 2024.
- What is the lowest total number of international immigrants recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 18,499 immigrants in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for total number of international immigrants?
- South Korea ranks 41st out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total number of international immigrants 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 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total number of international immigrants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
People living in a given country who were born in another country.