Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — South Korea

Female unemployment in South Korea in 2025 — 2.69%. Ranked 29 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 0.71 pp.

2025 2.69% −0.13 pp vs 2024
World rank 29of 182
Period maximum 5.65%1998
Period minimum 1.58%1996

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — South Korea, 1991–2025024619911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 1.99%1992: 2.13%1993: 2.25%1994: 1.92%1995: 1.68%1996: 1.58%1997: 2.3%1998: 5.65%1999: 5.08%2000: 3.23%2001: 3%2002: 2.49%2003: 3.03%2004: 3.07%2005: 3.1%2006: 2.71%2007: 2.4%2008: 2.4%2009: 2.68%2010: 2.84%2011: 2.64%2012: 2.55%2013: 2.79%2014: 2.96%2015: 3.48%2016: 3.54%2017: 3.48%2018: 3.69%2019: 3.58%2020: 3.99%2021: 3.74%2022: 3.03%2023: 2.72%2024: 2.82%2025: 2.69%
Change over the period: +0.71 pp Annual average: 0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Korea

South Korea 2.69%
World 4.94%
Eastern Asia computed 3.81%
High-income countries computed 4.72%
Female unemployment — South Korea, by year South Korea All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 2.69 −0.13 pp
2024 2.82 +0.1 pp
2023 2.72 −0.31 pp
2022 3.03 −0.71 pp
2021 3.74 −0.25 pp
2020 3.99 +0.41 pp
2019 3.58 −0.11 pp
2018 3.69 +0.21 pp
2017 3.48 −0.05 pp
2016 3.54 +0.05 pp
2015 3.48 +0.52 pp
2014 2.96 +0.17 pp
2013 2.79 +0.24 pp
2012 2.55 −0.09 pp
2011 2.64 −0.2 pp
2010 2.84 +0.16 pp
2009 2.68 +0.28 pp
2008 2.4 +0 pp
2007 2.4 −0.31 pp
2006 2.71 −0.39 pp
2005 3.1 +0.02 pp
2004 3.07 +0.04 pp
2003 3.03 +0.54 pp
2002 2.49 −0.51 pp
2001 3 −0.24 pp
2000 3.23 −1.85 pp
1999 5.08 −0.57 pp
1998 5.65 +3.35 pp
1997 2.3 +0.72 pp
1996 1.58 −0.1 pp
1995 1.68 −0.24 pp
1994 1.92 −0.33 pp
1993 2.25 +0.12 pp
1992 2.13 +0.15 pp
1991 1.99

Eastern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.