South Korea Unemployment Rate (ILO, % of Labor Force) (2025)
South Korea's Unemployment Rate (ILO, % of Labor Force): 2.7 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 2025, -0.1pp YoY. World Bank (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), 1990–202…
South Korea (2025)
2.7
% of labor force (ILO methodology)
-0.1pp YoY
YoY Change
-0.1pp
percentage points
Trend
down
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of labor force (ILO methodology) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.7 | -0.1pp |
| 2024 | 2.8 | +0.1pp |
| 2023 | 2.7 | -0.2pp |
| 2022 | 2.9 | -0.8pp |
| 2021 | 3.6 | -0.3pp |
| 2020 | 3.9 | +0.2pp |
| 2019 | 3.7 | -0.1pp |
| 2018 | 3.8 | +0.2pp |
| 2017 | 3.7 | +0pp |
| 2016 | 3.6 | +0.1pp |
| 2015 | 3.5 | +0.5pp |
| 2014 | 3.1 | +0pp |
| 2013 | 3.1 | +0.3pp |
| 2012 | 2.8 | -0.2pp |
| 2011 | 3 | -0.3pp |
| 2010 | 3.3 | -0pp |
| 2009 | 3.4 | +0.4pp |
| 2008 | 3 | -0.1pp |
| 2007 | 3 | -0.2pp |
| 2006 | 3.3 | n/a |
About this Dataset
South Korea recorded 2.7 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 2025. The most recent year-on-year change was -0.1pp. The historical series (1990–2025) shows a peak of 7.0 in 1998 and a trough of 2.0 in 1996.
Data sourced from World Bank Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology ensuring cross-country comparability.
The chart above shows the full historical trend; the table below lists annual values with year-on-year changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
This indicator tracks south korea unemployment rate (ilo, % of labor force) in South Korea, published by World Bank. Data covers 1990–2025 at annual frequency using harmonised methodology.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. Data is updated annual.
The series peaked at 7.0 % of labor force (ILO methodology) in 1998 and reached its lowest recorded value of 2.0 in 1996. The latest reading of 2.7 in 2025 represents a year-on-year change of -0.1pp.