Korea Primary Completion Rate
Primary completion rate (% of relevant age group) SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS
Korea's primary completion rate was 95.39% in 2025, ranked 84th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Korea's primary completion rate stood at 95.39% in 2025, a decline of +2.88pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 95.39% by 2025. Korea ranked 84th globally.
Korea’s primary completion rate has shown a modest decline from its all‑time peak of 104.40 % in 2013 to 95.39 % in 2025, placing the country 84th in the world. The early‑2000s trough of 94.62 % in 2002 marked the low point of a 25‑year series that began at 100.29 % in 2000, after which rates rose steadily before the recent downturn. Compared with peers of similar rank, Korea’s 2025 figure is slightly below Sri Lanka’s 95.58 % and Kyrgyz Republic’s 95.31 %, suggesting that regional performance remains competitive but not leading. The downward shift since the 2013 peak coincides with demographic aging and heightened competition for school enrolment, factors that could further depress completion rates if not addressed. Continued policy focus on early childhood education and targeted interventions in low‑attendance areas will be crucial to reverse the current trajectory and sustain higher completion levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Completion Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 94.54% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 95.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 95.39% | −2.88pp | #84 |
| 2023 | 98.27% | +2.26pp | #48 |
| 2022 | 96.02% | −2.44pp | #76 |
| 2021 | 98.45% | −2.75pp | #51 |
| 2020 | 101.20% | +1.30pp | #22 |
| 2019 | 99.91% | +3.14pp | #33 |
| 2018 | 96.76% | −1.09pp | #65 |
| 2017 | 97.86% | −5.95pp | #57 |
| 2016 | 103.80% | +3.28pp | #16 |
| 2015 | 100.52% | +2.29pp | #29 |
| 2014 | 98.23% | −6.18pp | #51 |
| 2013 | 104.40% | +2.33pp | #15 |
| 2012 | 102.07% | +4.45pp | #25 |
| 2011 | 97.62% | −3.83pp | #58 |
| 2010 | 101.45% | −0.12pp | #24 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw primary completion rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's primary completion rate was 95.39% in 2025. Ranked 84th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's primary completion rate peaked at 104.40% in 2013.
The lowest primary completion rate in Korea was 94.62% in 2002.
Korea ranks 84th globally in primary completion rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's primary completion rate is projected to reach 95.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The primary completion rate of Korea in 2025 was 95.39%. This ranks 84th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_primary-completion-rate,
title = {Korea Primary Completion Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/primary-completion-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}