International migrant stock (% of population) in South Korea
South Korea: International migrant stock (% of population) was 3.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
International migrant stock in South Korea, 1990–2024
Source: International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for international migrant stock in South Korea is 3.5%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
That represents a change of up 34.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, international migrant stock in South Korea peaked at 3.5% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1990.
South Korea ranks 130th of 216 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
International migrant stock (% of population) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1995 | 0.1% | — |
| 2000 | 0.3% | +200.0% |
| 2005 | 0.5% | +66.7% |
| 2010 | 1.2% | +140.0% |
| 2015 | 2.6% | +116.7% |
| 2020 | 3.3% | +26.9% |
| 2024 | 3.5% | +6.1% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 3.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 19.8%, 18% of the median. (85 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 3.5% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.8%, 1.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.2% | 2.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More financial sector data for South Korea
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 6.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0016 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 58.67 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 1.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 42.84 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 6.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0016 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 58.67 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 1.21 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is international migrant stock in South Korea?
- International migrant stock in South Korea was 3.5% in 2024, according to International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest international migrant stock recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 2024.
- What is the lowest international migrant stock recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for international migrant stock?
- South Korea ranks 130th out of 216 countries with data for 2024.
- Is international migrant stock rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of International migrant stock (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
International migrant stock (% of population) is the proportion of people at mid-year born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees.