1. 1.69 Million Foreign Residents in South Korea
Largest Figure Since Statistics Began in 2012
Foreign Worker Employment Rate at 65.5%
Majority Earn Between 2 Million and 3 Million Won
The number of foreign workers residing in South Korea surpassed 1.1 million for the first time, marking an all-time high. As interest in Korean culture continues to grow, combined with efforts by the government and universities, the number of international students working in the country surged by approximately 72%.
According to the "2025 Survey on the Status and Employment of Immigrants" released by the National Data Agency on December 18, as of May this year, there were 1,692,000 foreigners aged 15 or older residing in South Korea-a year-on-year increase of 132,000 people (8.4%). This is the largest figure since related statistics began in 2012.
Of these, 1,109,000 were employed, up by 99,000 (9.8%). After surpassing the 1 million mark for the first time last year, the number has now reached the 1.1 million range within just one year-again, the highest since records began. In particular, the number of international students working in Korea jumped by 23,000 (71.8%).
Song Junhaeng, Director of Employment Statistics at the Data Agency, explained, "The government, local governments, and universities have made significant policy efforts to attract international students," adding, "Interest in Korean culture has also increased substantially, which appears to have worked together in boosting the numbers."
By nationality, ethnic Koreans from China accounted for the largest group at 341,000. They were followed by Vietnamese (149,000) and Chinese nationals (54,000). Notably, the number of Vietnamese and Chinese workers rose sharply compared to last year, by 21.3% (26,000) and 27.8% (12,000), respectively. The majority were in their 20s and 30s.
Looking at the industries where foreign workers are employed, mining and manufacturing accounted for 498,000 people, making up 44.9% of the total. Wholesale and retail trade, accommodation, and food services followed with 226,000 workers (20.4%). Business, personal, and public services accounted for 148,000 (13.4%), while agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and construction each made up around 9%.
The employment rate among these foreign residents rose by 0.8 percentage points to 65.5%. As economic participation increased, the unemployment rate also climbed by 0.7 percentage points to 6.4%. Among foreign workers, 94.4% (1,047,000) were wage workers, with 50.2% (526,000) earning an average monthly wage of less than 3 million won but more than 2 million won.
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