International Migrant Population Statistics in South Korea (2026)
3.5% of the population in South Korea were international migrants in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 3.3% in 2020 to 3.5% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points). South Korea ranks #17 of 37 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #130 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 3.5% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in South Korea as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- +0.2 pp (2024)
- Up from 3.3% in 2020 to 3.5% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0% in 1990 to 3.5% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 3.5% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for South Korea.
- Rank in East Asia & Pacific
- #17 of 37 (2024)
- South Korea ranks 17 of 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #130 of 216 (2024)
- South Korea ranks 130 of 216 countries with data globally.
- East Asia & Pacific average
- 14.1% (2024)
- South Korea (3.5%) is below the average of 14.1% across the 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $7.3 billion (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in South Korea (2024)
- 97.9% (2024)
- 97.9% of the population in South Korea used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 51.8 million (2024)
- South Korea had a population of 51.8 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2020 | 3.3% | +0.7 pp |
| 2015 | 2.6% | +1.4 pp |
| 2010 | 1.2% | +0.7 pp |
| 2005 | 0.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2000 | 0.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 1995 | 0.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 1990 | 0% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in South Korea were international migrants?
3.5% of the population in South Korea were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How has international migrant population in South Korea changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0% in 1990 to 3.5% in 2024.
How does South Korea compare with other countries in East Asia & Pacific?
South Korea ranks 17 of 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, with 3.5% versus a regional average of 14.1% (latest values per country).
Where does South Korea rank globally on international migrant population?
South Korea ranks 130 of 216 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
How recent is the international migrant population data for South Korea?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for South Korea.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .