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South Korea: Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate), 1991–2025
Value in 20252.7
Change since 2015-24.3%3.5 (2015)
World rank154 / 1822025
Rank in region18 / 29East Asia & Pacific
World4.8World Bank aggregate
Trend and comparison
Neighbours in the 2025 ranking
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
Values and rank by year
| Year | Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate) | vs prior year | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.7 | -3.6% | 154 / 182 |
| 2024 | 2.8 | +4.1% | 151 / 182 |
| 2023 | 2.7 | -6.4% | 157 / 184 |
| 2022 | 2.9 | -21.5% | 158 / 186 |
| 2021 | 3.6 | -7.4% | 152 / 187 |
| 2020 | 3.9 | +4.9% | 148 / 187 |
| 2019 | 3.7 | -2.0% | 130 / 187 |
| 2018 | 3.8 | +4.7% | 135 / 187 |
| 2017 | 3.7 | +0.1% | 143 / 187 |
| 2016 | 3.6 | +2.9% | 144 / 187 |
| 2015 | 3.5 | +15.1% | 145 / 187 |
| 2014 | 3.1 | +0.5% | 154 / 187 |
| 2013 | 3.1 | +9.1% | 155 / 187 |
| 2012 | 2.8 | -6.0% | 160 / 187 |
| 2011 | 3.0 | -10.0% | 160 / 187 |
| 2010 | 3.3 | -1.2% | 154 / 187 |
| 2009 | 3.4 | +13.7% | 153 / 187 |
| 2008 | 3.0 | -1.8% | 158 / 187 |
| 2007 | 3.0 | -7.4% | 157 / 187 |
| 2006 | 3.3 | -6.5% | 154 / 187 |
| 2005 | 3.5 | +1.8% | 152 / 187 |
| 2004 | 3.4 | +2.2% | 155 / 187 |
| 2003 | 3.3 | +9.9% | 156 / 187 |
| 2002 | 3.0 | -17.7% | 156 / 187 |
| 2001 | 3.7 | -9.0% | 144 / 187 |
| 2000 | 4.1 | -35.9% | 137 / 187 |
| 1999 | 6.3 | -8.9% | 102 / 187 |
| 1998 | 7.0 | +167.0% | 99 / 187 |
| 1997 | 2.6 | +27.3% | 162 / 187 |
| 1996 | 2.0 | -0.7% | 170 / 187 |
| 1995 | 2.1 | -16.7% | 169 / 187 |
| 1994 | 2.5 | -14.0% | 164 / 187 |
| 1993 | 2.9 | +14.5% | 150 / 187 |
| 1992 | 2.5 | +4.4% | 151 / 187 |
| 1991 | 2.4 | – | 149 / 187 |
- Population
- GDP (current US$, billions)
- GDP per capita (current US$)
- GDP growth (annual %)
- Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)
- Life expectancy at birth (years)
- Fertility rate (births per woman)
- Population aged 65 and above (% of total)
- Urban population (% of total)
- Internet users (% of population)
- Surface area (km²)
- Population density (people per km² of land)
- Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Compare South Korea with Japan →
For each indicator and economy the most recent non-empty year is used, so years can differ between countries. Ranks compare only economies that have data. Aggregates (regions, income groups) are excluded from rankings; the world value is shown for reference. Values are as published by the World Bank and are revised several times a year.