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South Korea has achieved swift economic growth, but several social issues have emerged in the process. Gender equality is one of the most important social issues in the country. South Korea's gender gap index was 0.68 points, indicating that an average gender gap of approximately 32 percent remained. According to the four dimensions set by the World Economic Forum, there was a big difference in participation in economic and political activities in the country. Especially the pay gap between men and women in South Korea is the highest among OECD countries.
Status quo of gender equality in South Korea
South Korean society is trying to promote women's rights, but the gap between men and women is still large. In particular, employment rates for men and women across age groups show significant differences. While the male employment rate remains relatively stable from 30 until retirement age, the female employment rate peaks in the late twenties and declines significantly until age 40. This can be explained by the fact that around 1.4 million women annually leave their jobs after marriage because of parenting and housework. These career breaks for women are perceived as a main factor for the gender pay gap.
Nevertheless, women are increasingly engaged in leadership or decision-making positions in society. Around 22 percent of women were in managerial positions, while 36.8 percent were company CEOs. In the South Korean government, about 19 percent of women were elected to the National Assembly in 2022, which has shown a slow but steady increase in women’s representation.
How do South Koreans see the future of gender equality in their society?
According to one survey, only a minority of respondents are optimistic that gender inequality will improve soon. During the process of rapid modernization, South Korea has suffered a conflict between traditional and modern values. Many Koreans still believe that men should be primarily responsible for raising the family or that women should take care of the children even if they work. In addition, the #MeToo movement and the novel ' Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982' reignited the issue of gender equality and sparked widespread discussion.
Nevertheless, South Korea is approaching a gender-equal society. The government strengthened parental leave laws in order to reduce career interruptions for women and put in efforts to increase re-employment opportunities. Furthermore, there is a growing awareness that men should actively participate in housework as well, and the actual number of men taking parental leave to take part in parenting has also increased significantly. It is expected that gender inequality will gradually decrease as equal opportunities for education and social advancement become the norm among younger generations.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Won So Research lead covering South Korea 
Key insights
- Gender gap index
- 0.7 points
Detailed statistics
Gender gap index in South Korea 2016-2024
- Gender pay gap (women's-to-men's)
- 65%
Detailed statistics
Women's-to-men's earnings ratio South Korea 2010-2022
- Number of married women leaving employment
- 1.4m
Detailed statistics
Number of married women leaving employment South Korea 2015-2022
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Overview
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Gender gap index in South Korea 2024, by category
Gender gap index in South Korea in 2024, by category
Education
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- Premium Statistic Length of education in South Korea 1980-2020, by gender
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Education
- Premium Statistic Length of education in South Korea 1980-2020, by gender
Length of education in South Korea 1980-2020, by gender
Average length of education in South Korea from 1980 to 2020, by gender (in years)
- Premium Statistic High school enrollment South Korea 2014-2023, by gender
High school enrollment South Korea 2014-2023, by gender
Number of students enrolled in high schools in South Korea from 2014 to 2023, by gender (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of university students South Korea 2013-2023, by gender
Number of university students South Korea 2013-2023, by gender
Number of students enrolled at universities in South Korea from 2013 to 2023, by gender (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of graduate students South Korea 2013-2022, by gender
Number of graduate students South Korea 2013-2022, by gender
Number of enrolled graduate students in South Korea from 2013 to 2022, by gender (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Number of new doctoral degree holders South Korea 2014-2023, by gender
Number of new doctoral degree holders South Korea 2014-2023, by gender
Number of new doctoral degree holders in South Korea from 2014 to 2023, by gender
Employment and pay gap
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- Premium Statistic Employment rate South Korea 2000-2023, by gender
- Premium Statistic Male employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
- Premium Statistic Female employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
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- Premium Statistic Women's-to-men's earnings ratio South Korea 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Monthly working hours of employees South Korea 2010-2023, by gender
Employment and pay gap
- Premium Statistic Employment rate South Korea 2000-2023, by gender
Employment rate South Korea 2000-2023, by gender
Employment rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023, by gender
- Premium Statistic Male employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
Male employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
Employment rate of male population in South Korea in 2023, by age group
- Premium Statistic Female employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
Female employment rate South Korea 2023, by age group
Employment rate of female population in South Korea in 2023, by age group
- Basic Statistic Gender pay gap South Korea 2023, by occupation
Gender pay gap South Korea 2023, by occupation
Gender pay gap in South Korea in 2023, by occupation (in million South Korean won)
- Premium Statistic Women's-to-men's earnings ratio South Korea 2010-2022
Women's-to-men's earnings ratio South Korea 2010-2022
Earnings ratio between women and men in South Korea from 2010 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Monthly working hours of employees South Korea 2010-2023, by gender
Monthly working hours of employees South Korea 2010-2023, by gender
Average monthly working hours of employees in South Korea from 2010 to 2023, by gender
Leadership and decision-making
5
- Premium Statistic Share of female managers South Korea 2008-2023
- Premium Statistic Share of female CEOs South Korea 2000-2021
- Premium Statistic Share of women in the National Assembly South Korea 2005-2024
- Premium Statistic Share of female ministers in South Korea 2008-2023
- Premium Statistic Share of female legal professions South Korea 2010-2022, by type
Leadership and decision-making
- Premium Statistic Share of female managers South Korea 2008-2023
Share of female managers South Korea 2008-2023
Share of female managers in South Korea from 2008 to 2023
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Share of female CEOs South Korea 2000-2021
Share of female CEOs in South Korea from 2000 to 2021
- Premium Statistic Share of women in the National Assembly South Korea 2005-2024
Share of women in the National Assembly South Korea 2005-2024
Share of women in the National Assembly in South Korea from 2005 to 2024
- Premium Statistic Share of female ministers in South Korea 2008-2023
Share of female ministers in South Korea 2008-2023
Share of female ministers in South Korea from 2008 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Share of female legal professions South Korea 2010-2022, by type
Share of female legal professions South Korea 2010-2022, by type
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Family
6
- Basic Statistic Median age at first marriage South Korea 1990-2023, by gender
- Premium Statistic Employees on parental leave in South Korea 2008-2022 by gender
- Premium Statistic Employees working shorter due to parenting in South Korea 2015-2022, by gender
- Premium Statistic Number of married women leaving employment South Korea 2015-2022
- Premium Statistic Opinions on sharing house chores South Korea 2006-2022
- Premium Statistic Daily time spent on household chores South Korea 2019, by gender
Family
- Basic Statistic Median age at first marriage South Korea 1990-2023, by gender
Median age at first marriage South Korea 1990-2023, by gender
Median age at first marriage in South Korea from 1990 to 2023, by gender (in years)
- Premium Statistic Employees on parental leave in South Korea 2008-2022 by gender
Employees on parental leave in South Korea 2008-2022 by gender
Number of employees on parental leave in South Korea from 2008 to 2022, by gender (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Employees working shorter due to parenting in South Korea 2015-2022, by gender
Employees working shorter due to parenting in South Korea 2015-2022, by gender
Number of employees who worked shorter than regular hours due to childcare in South Korea from 2015 to 2022, by gender
- Premium Statistic Number of married women leaving employment South Korea 2015-2022
Number of married women leaving employment South Korea 2015-2022
Number of married women who have left the workforce in South Korea from 2015 to 2022 (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Opinions on sharing house chores South Korea 2006-2022
Opinions on sharing house chores South Korea 2006-2022
Opinions on sharing household chores between married people in South Korea from 2006 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Daily time spent on household chores South Korea 2019, by gender
Daily time spent on household chores South Korea 2019, by gender
Daily time spent on household chores by married people in South Korea in 2019, by gender (in minutes)
Public opinion
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- Premium Statistic Opinions on gender discriminiation in society South Korea 2024
- Premium Statistic Opinions on gender equality in the future South Korea 2023
- Premium Statistic Opinions on traditional male roles South Korea 2021
- Premium Statistic Opinions on traditional female roles South Korea 2021
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Public opinion
- Premium Statistic Opinions on gender discriminiation in society South Korea 2024
Opinions on gender discriminiation in society South Korea 2024
Opinions on gender discrimination in society in South Korea in February 2024
- Premium Statistic Opinions on gender equality in the future South Korea 2023
Opinions on gender equality in the future South Korea 2023
Opinions on whether gender equality level will get better or worse in the future in South Korea in 2023
- Premium Statistic Opinions on traditional male roles South Korea 2021
Opinions on traditional male roles South Korea 2021
Share of respondents who agree with the following statements regarding traditional gender roles for men in South Korea in 2021
- Premium Statistic Opinions on traditional female roles South Korea 2021
Opinions on traditional female roles South Korea 2021
Share of respondents who agree with the following statements regarding traditional gender roles for women in South Korea in 2021
- Premium Statistic Opinions on men being family breadwinner South Korea 2021, by age and gender
Opinions on men being family breadwinner South Korea 2021, by age and gender
Opinions on men having a primary responsibility of providing for the family in South Korea in 2021, by age and gender
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Opinions on women's responsibility in childcare South Korea 2021, by age and gender
Opinions on women having a primary responsibility of childcare even if they work in South Korea in 2021, by age and gender
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