Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — South Korea

Vulnerable employment in South Korea in 2025 — 17.69%. Ranked 62 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 11.35 pp.

2025 17.69% −0.16 pp vs 2024
World rank 62of 182
Period maximum 29.04%1991
Period minimum 17.69%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — South Korea, 1991–20251520253019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 29.04%1992: 28.6%1993: 28.16%1994: 27.73%1995: 27.29%1996: 26.92%1997: 26.56%1998: 26.41%1999: 26.16%2000: 25.86%2001: 25.74%2002: 25.38%2003: 24.59%2004: 24.24%2005: 24.02%2006: 23.61%2007: 23.25%2008: 22.95%2009: 21.92%2010: 21.24%2011: 20.86%2012: 20.76%2013: 20.37%2014: 19.84%2015: 19.71%2016: 19.51%2017: 19.39%2018: 18.97%2019: 18.97%2020: 19.33%2021: 19.11%2022: 18.59%2023: 18.19%2024: 17.85%2025: 17.69%
Change over the period: −11.35 pp Annual average: -0.33 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

South Korea 17.69%
World 42.38%
Eastern Asia computed 31.19%
High-income countries computed 7.92%
Vulnerable employment — South Korea, by year South Korea All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 17.69 −0.16 pp
2024 17.85 −0.34 pp
2023 18.19 −0.4 pp
2022 18.59 −0.52 pp
2021 19.11 −0.21 pp
2020 19.33 +0.36 pp
2019 18.97 +0 pp
2018 18.97 −0.42 pp
2017 19.39 −0.12 pp
2016 19.51 −0.2 pp
2015 19.71 −0.13 pp
2014 19.84 −0.53 pp
2013 20.37 −0.4 pp
2012 20.76 −0.1 pp
2011 20.86 −0.38 pp
2010 21.24 −0.68 pp
2009 21.92 −1.03 pp
2008 22.95 −0.3 pp
2007 23.25 −0.36 pp
2006 23.61 −0.42 pp
2005 24.02 −0.21 pp
2004 24.24 −0.35 pp
2003 24.59 −0.79 pp
2002 25.38 −0.36 pp
2001 25.74 −0.12 pp
2000 25.86 −0.31 pp
1999 26.16 −0.24 pp
1998 26.41 −0.16 pp
1997 26.56 −0.36 pp
1996 26.92 −0.37 pp
1995 27.29 −0.44 pp
1994 27.73 −0.43 pp
1993 28.16 −0.44 pp
1992 28.6 −0.44 pp
1991 29.04

Eastern Asia, 2025

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

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

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