Korea Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Korea's services employment was 71.51% in 2025, ranked 129th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Korea's services employment stood at 71.51% in 2025, a rise of +0.37% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 71.89% by 2026. Korea ranked 129th globally.
South Korea's services employment rate has experienced a significant increase over the past three and a half decades, with the latest available data showing a rate of 71.51%, placing it 129th globally. This is a notable improvement from the trough of 47.36% in 1991, marking a substantial 52% increase in services employment. Notably, South Korea's services employment rate has surpassed that of peer country Latvia, which currently stands at 71.50%. However, the country still lags behind other peer nations such as the Maldives, where the rate stands at 71.77%. The all-time peak of 71.51%, achieved in 2025, suggests a stabilization of the services employment rate in recent years. To continue driving growth in this sector, South Korea may need to focus on fostering a more favorable business environment and investing in human capital development to address emerging challenges in the labor market.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 72.68% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 72.29% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 71.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 71.51% | +0.37% | #129 |
| 2024 | 71.14% | +0.46% | #128 |
| 2023 | 70.68% | +0.57% | #128 |
| 2022 | 70.11% | +0.06% | #130 |
| 2021 | 70.05% | +0.07% | #131 |
| 2020 | 69.98% | −0.30% | #131 |
| 2019 | 70.28% | +0.48% | #133 |
| 2018 | 69.80% | −0.11% | #130 |
| 2017 | 69.91% | −0.05% | #133 |
| 2016 | 69.96% | +0.50% | #135 |
| 2015 | 69.47% | +0.45% | #134 |
| 2014 | 69.01% | +0.19% | #133 |
| 2013 | 68.83% | −0.06% | #134 |
| 2012 | 68.88% | +0.45% | #137 |
| 2011 | 68.43% | +0.38% | #137 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's services employment was 71.51% in 2025. Ranked 129th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Korea's services employment peaked at 71.51% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Korea was 47.36% in 1991.
Korea ranks 129th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's services employment is projected to reach 71.89% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Korea in 2025 was 71.51%. This ranks 129th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_services-employment,
title = {Korea Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}