Record Number of Foreign Residents in Korea: 2.73 Million
Concentration in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, High Proportion of Young Adults
Overwhelming Majority from Asian Countries such as China and Vietnam
The number of foreigners staying in South Korea for purposes such as study, work, and tourism has surpassed 2.73 million, setting an all-time high.
At the National Pukyong National University Daeyeon Campus in Namgu, Busan, foreign university students participating in the Pukyong International Summer Session (PKNU-ISS) are learning 'Basic Taekwondo.' Photo by Yonhap News
According to data released by the Immigration Policy Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice on July 27, the total number of foreigners residing in the country as of the end of last month was 2,732,797. This represents an increase of 40,068 people (1.5%) compared to the previous month.
Among the foreign residents, those classified as long-term residents with registered status totaled 1,559,975. Meanwhile, 552,419 people of foreign nationality who have reported their residence as compatriots were recorded. The number of short-term foreign residents, such as tourists, was 620,403.
The number of foreign residents peaked at around 2.52 million in 2019. After that, the number dropped to about 2.04 million in 2020 and 1.96 million in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified. After the transition to endemic status, the number rebounded to 2.51 million in 2023. Last year, it increased further to about 2.65 million. This year, the figure reached about 2.72 million in March, then slightly decreased, but last month set a new record at over 2.73 million.
By nationality, Chinese nationals accounted for 972,176, making up 35.6% of the total and ranking first. They were followed by Vietnamese (341,153), Americans (196,664), Thais (173,710), and Uzbeks (98,457).
By region, more than half of the registered foreign residents were staying in the Seoul metropolitan area. In the Yeongnam region, there were 317,286 (20.3%), in the Chungcheong region 200,939 (12.9%), and in the Honam region 136,990 (8.8%).
By age group, those aged 30 to 39 accounted for the largest share at 25.7%. This was followed by those aged 20 to 29 (23.1%), 40 to 49 (16.7%), 60 and over (13.5%), 50 to 59 (12.3%), and those under 19 (8.7%).
By visa status, holders of the Overseas Korean (F-4) visa were the largest group at 554,895. This was followed by Non-professional Employment (E-9) at 341,453, Permanent Residency (F-5) at 214,036, Student (D-2) at 191,297, and Tourist Transit (B-2) at 171,063.
In particular, the number of foreigners staying for tourism purposes surged by 29.6% compared to the previous month.
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