Net migration in South Korea
South Korea: Net migration was 65,731 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in South Korea, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in South Korea is 65,731, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 13.5% on the previous year and down 76.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in South Korea peaked at 308,037 in 2014 and was at its lowest, -270,754, in 1991.
That places South Korea 20th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -54,065 | -146,386 | 47,245 | 10 |
| 1970s | -40,683 | -139,566 | 35,779 | 10 |
| 1980s | 98,674 | -148,341 | 198,057 | 10 |
| 1990s | -152,724 | -270,754 | 79,294 | 10 |
| 2000s | -33,848 | -84,960 | 5,308 | 10 |
| 2010s | 193,270 | 52,042 | 308,037 | 10 |
| 2020s | 68,858 | -16,778 | 112,631 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More financial sector data for South Korea
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 160.3% (2024)
- Total reserves in months of imports 6.46 (2025)
- Net domestic credit 5,011.74 trillion current LCU (2024)
- Net foreign assets 627.85 trillion current LCU (2024)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 160.3% (2024)
- Broad money 162.7% (2024)
- Claims on central government, etc. 3.4% (2024)
- Domestic credit to private sector 160.3% (2024)
- Official exchange rate 1,422 LCU per US$, period average (2025)
- Claims on central government 1.0% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in South Korea?
- Net migration in South Korea was 65,731 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 308,037 in 2014.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -270,754 in 1991.
- How does South Korea rank for net migration?
- South Korea ranks 20th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 76.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.