Korea
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Korea
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Korea, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 58.2% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 36.3% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 5.6% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 95.8% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 95.6% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4.1% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.8% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Korea allocated an average of 11.7% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.2% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 16479 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Korea (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 16365 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 4.4% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 4.9% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • In Korea, annual typical teaching hours were 662 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 521 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • Women represent 98.7% of pre-primary teaching staff in Korea (OECD average : 95.9%) and 72.3% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
  • In Korea, there are 100% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools (OECD average : 90.9%). However, 1.9% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary education left the profession through retirement or resignation in 2025 (OECD average : 6.4%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) | Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Korea |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.1 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (27.8 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.6 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (58.2 %, rank 3/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (71.1 %, rank 1/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Korea has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-olds whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (5.2 %, rank 33/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.9 %, rank 2/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (49.1 %, rank 2/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (3.2 %, rank 33/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (63.4 %, rank 2/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (79.7 %, rank 1/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Korea has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old women whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (4.6 %, rank 33/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Korea is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.1 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in Korea is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Korea is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Korea is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.3 %, rank 41/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Korea is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (32.7 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    The share of female students entering bachelor's programmes in Korea is relatively small. (50.9 %, rank 38/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    In Korea, the share of female new entrants to bachelor’s programmes in social sciences, journalism and information was among the smallest internationally. (58.3 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female new entrants in doctoral programmes in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary was one of the smallest across countries. (40.1 %, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female new entrants to doctoral programmes in business, administration and law was among the smallest internationally. (43.1 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female new entrants in master’s programmes in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary was among the smallest in Korea compared to other countries. (46.9 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female new entrants to master’s programmes in business, administration and law was among the smallest across countries. (47 %, rank 28/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (73.3 %, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (62.5 %, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (51.3 %, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (68.4 %, rank 22/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction in Korea is relatively small. (24.8 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (66.4 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (68.7 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Korea is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (31.1 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in health and welfare in Korea is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (67.7 %, rank 20/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiaryprogrammes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Korea is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (40 %, rank 16/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (71.1 %, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in Korea is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (71.7 %, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the highest across participating countries. (70.6 %, rank 1/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.3 %, rank 40/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in public tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.4 %, rank 38/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Enrolment of students aged 15–19 in lower secondary programmes placed Korea among the lowest internationally. (0.3 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at all early childhood education level is comparatively high. (69.1 %, rank 5/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively high. (69.4 %, rank 5/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The average age of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes in Korea is relatively low compared to the other countries. (16 %, rank 39/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in early childhood education in Korea is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (55.9 %, rank 2/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The average age of graduates from vocational programmes at the upper secondary level in Korea is relatively low compared to other participating countries. (18 Years, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at upper secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15.4 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (49.1 %, rank 42/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.7 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.5 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Korea is relatively small. (11.6 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of tertiary graduates in STEM fields in Korea was one of the highest compared to other participating countries. (31 %, rank 2/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    The proportion of female tertiary graduates in social sciences, business and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (13.8 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.1 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the proportion of male tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively small. (4.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of male tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.2 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in all fields is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (51.6 %, rank 32/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (64.3 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (27.7 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (22.6 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (70 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Korea, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively low. (5.8 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low. (12.3 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (6.7 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the percentage of new entrants in business, administration and law bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (12 %, rank 32/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the proportion of new entrants in business, administration and law master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.3 %, rank 28/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    In Korea, international or foreign students from Latin America and the Caribbean are least represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.5 %, rank 33/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, international or foreign students from Europe are least represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.1 %, rank 34/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics among all international or foreign tertiary students in Korea is relatively low. (2.1 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of health and welfare among all international or foreign tertiary students in Korea is relatively low. (3.5 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of international and foreign students among all students in the field of Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 35/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of international and foreign students among all students in the field of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.2 %, rank 35/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among all international or foreign students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (17.7 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of students enrolled in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary among all international or foreign tertiary students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Korea, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the lowest across countries with available data. (16.3 %, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 45-64 participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest in Korea compared with other countries with available data. (14.5 %, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Korea was among the lowest across countries with available data. (15.3 %, rank 30/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of adults aged 25-44 outside the labour force participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (11.4 %, rank 27/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the largest across countries with available data. (81 %, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the highest in Korea compared with other countries with available data. (68.4 %, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment, the share reporting never having participated in non-formal education or training in Korea was among the largest across countries with available data. (61.5 %, rank 1/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21980 USD Equivalent, rank 2/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Korea, the share of current expenditure on primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (78.8 %, rank 37/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of current expenditure on all levels below tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (80.5 %, rank 36/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17 %, rank 1/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (83 %, rank 36/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of current expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (81.8 %, rank 36/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year pre-primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively low in Korea. (757 Hours, rank 29/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The percentage of secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (23.9 %, rank 36/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate or equivalent education) is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.9 %, rank 38/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (38.1 %, rank 37/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (18.8 %, rank 39/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of lower secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (23.3 %, rank 35/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of upper secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (24.5 %, rank 38/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (21.7 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in upper secondary education is especially low in Korea. (46.5 %, rank 38/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in tertiary education is especially low in Korea. (29.7 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (43.5 %, rank 33/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of tertiary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (44 %, rank 34/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of short-cycle tertiary teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (1.6 %, rank 22/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (0.7 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of tertiary teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (0.9 %, rank 36/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level female teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (27.3 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of teachers aged 50 or more in pre-primary education is especially low in Korea (10.1 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    The salary progression from the start to the top of the salary scale for a lower secondary school teacher is among the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.68 Ratio, rank 1/43 , 2025) Download Indicator

    It takes lower secondary teachers longer to progress through the salary scale in Korea compared to other OECD and partner countries. (37 Years, rank 4/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    In Korea, the proportion of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools is one of the largest among OECD and participating countries. (100 %, rank 1/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of fully qualified primary and secondary teachers who left the profession is relatively low compared to other participating countries. (1.9 %, rank 22/24 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the vocational upper secondary level is especially low in Korea. (8.3 Ratio, rank 28/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the ratio of children to teaching staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.7 Ratio, rank 19/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    Classes in private primary institutions are comparatively large in Korea. (27 Students, rank 3/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (80.3 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (80.1 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low in Korea. (69 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (77.7 %, rank 25/28 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (82.4 %, rank 40/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (82.8 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (74.8 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (78.7 %, rank 25/29 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (80.6 %, rank 26/29 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is comparatively low. (71.9 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively low in Korea. (81.9 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low in Korea. (72.3 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively low. (4.9 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (3.3 %, rank 35/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (0.9 %, rank 36/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (2.8 %, rank 33/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (1.8 %, rank 38/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old women with upper secondary or a post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (2.5 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Korea. (4.7 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Korea. (5 %, rank 32/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Korea. (1.5 %, rank 34/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low in Korea. (1.7 %, rank 34/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.5 %, rank 33/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is high in Korea. (27.5 %, rank 2/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is high in Korea. (16.8 %, rank 4/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (130 Index, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is comparatively small. (3.5 %, rank 21/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Korea, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a tertiary education degree is comparatively . (10 Index, rank 27/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The relative earnings of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent attainment in Korea were among the lowest across countries with available data. (114 Index, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers without an upper secondary education earning more than twice the overall median in Korea is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (0 Index, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Korea. (100 Index, rank 17/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Korea. (119 Index, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Korea. (103 Index, rank 18/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Korea. (116 Index, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Korea. (116 Index, rank 21/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with below upper secondary education in Korea, the proportion earning between 1.5 and 2 times the median is comparatively low . (2 Index, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with below upper secondary education in Korea, the proportion earning between 1 and 1.5 times the median is comparatively low . (12 Index, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Korea, the proportion earning between 1.5 and 2 times the median is comparatively low. (6 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Korea, the proportion earning between 1 and 1.5 times the median is comparatively low. (22 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings and skill level

    In Korea, the share of high earners aged 25-64 with low numeracy, literacy and adaptive problem-solving skills in the Adult Skills Survey was among the greatest across countries with available data. (27.4 %, rank 4/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education and those with upper secondary education is quite marginal. (129 Index, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education and those with upper secondary education is quite marginal. (132 Index, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (74.2 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds without an upper secondary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (72.4 %, rank 23/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (74.1 %, rank 18/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (68.3 %, rank 17/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (71.7 %, rank 19/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (66.5 %, rank 19/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (67.6 %, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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				Key
            
    
            Diagram of funding flows - Korea
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
				Key
            
    
            Country Reviews for Korea
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.