Korea Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Korea's female labor participation was 56.78% in 2025, ranked 64th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Korea's female labor participation stood at 56.78% in 2025, a decline of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 58.08% by 2026. Korea ranked 64th globally.
South Korea’s female labour‑force participation rose from 47.21 % in 1990 to 56.78 % in 2025, placing the country 64th globally. The indicator reached an all‑time peak of 56.83 % in 2024 after a prolonged expansion, while the lowest point occurred in 1998 at 47.12 %, reflecting the constraints of a rapidly industrialising economy and limited childcare infrastructure. Over the 36‑year series, participation increased by 9.57 percentage points, narrowing the gender gap but still lagging behind peers such as Uruguay, which recorded 57.26 %, and Rwanda at 57.30 %. The upward trajectory aligns with policy reforms that expanded parental leave and subsidised preschool services, yet the modest gap to the peak suggests limited headroom for rapid gains. Continued investment in flexible work arrangements and affordable childcare is likely to sustain the gradual rise, potentially moving South Korea closer to the participation rates of its higher‑ranking peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 59.70% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 58.89% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.08% | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.78% | −0.04pp | #64 |
| 2024 | 56.83% | +0.79pp | #66 |
| 2023 | 56.04% | +1.01pp | #74 |
| 2022 | 55.03% | +1.38pp | #78 |
| 2021 | 53.65% | +0.51pp | #81 |
| 2020 | 53.14% | −0.63pp | #87 |
| 2019 | 53.77% | +0.55pp | #89 |
| 2018 | 53.22% | +0.15pp | #92 |
| 2017 | 53.07% | +0.51pp | #91 |
| 2016 | 52.57% | +0.18pp | #92 |
| 2015 | 52.39% | +0.55pp | #93 |
| 2014 | 51.84% | +1.03pp | #96 |
| 2013 | 50.81% | +0.52pp | #105 |
| 2012 | 50.29% | +0.30pp | #106 |
| 2011 | 49.99% | +0.23pp | #106 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's female labor participation was 56.78% in 2025. Ranked 64th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's female labor participation peaked at 56.83% in 2024.
The lowest female labor participation in Korea was 47.12% in 1998.
Korea ranks 64th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's female labor participation is projected to reach 58.08% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Korea in 2025 was 56.78%. This ranks 64th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_female-labor-participation,
title = {Korea Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}