Korea Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Korea's youth unemployment was 6.70% in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Korea's youth unemployment stood at 6.70% in 2025, a rise of +0.26pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.77% by 2026. Korea ranked 38th globally.
South Korea’s youth unemployment rate stood at 6.70 % in 2025, placing the country 38th in the world, and remains marginally above peers such as Macao SAR, China (6.78 %) and Singapore (6.78 %). The indicator has fluctuated over the 35‑year series, climbing from an early‑period level of 7.16 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 15.72 % during the Asian financial crisis of 1998, before falling to a trough of 5.41 % in 2023. The post‑crisis recovery was driven by rapid expansion in high‑tech manufacturing and a surge in graduate enrolment, while recent modest increases reflect tighter labour market conditions and a slowdown in job creation for recent graduates. Continued structural reforms in vocational training and stronger alignment between university curricula and industry needs could sustain the recent decline, suggesting that the youth unemployment rate may trend lower if policy momentum is maintained.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 5.18% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 5.48% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 5.77% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.70% | +0.26pp | #38 |
| 2024 | 6.43% | +1.03pp | #37 |
| 2023 | 5.41% | −1.23pp | #31 |
| 2022 | 6.64% | −1.42pp | #35 |
| 2021 | 8.06% | −2.09pp | #39 |
| 2020 | 10.14% | +0.32pp | #51 |
| 2019 | 9.83% | −0.29pp | #68 |
| 2018 | 10.12% | +0.34pp | #74 |
| 2017 | 9.78% | −0.36pp | #68 |
| 2016 | 10.15% | +0.25pp | #62 |
| 2015 | 9.90% | +1.31pp | #62 |
| 2014 | 8.59% | −0.35pp | #50 |
| 2013 | 8.94% | +1.21pp | #54 |
| 2012 | 7.74% | −0.56pp | #42 |
| 2011 | 8.30% | −0.24pp | #46 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's youth unemployment was 6.70% in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from the previous year.
Korea's youth unemployment peaked at 15.72% in 1998.
The lowest youth unemployment in Korea was 5.41% in 2023.
Korea ranks 38th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's youth unemployment is projected to reach 5.77% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Korea in 2025 was 6.70%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_youth-unemployment,
title = {Korea Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}