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Foreign Population In Korea Tops 4 Percent
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Foreign Population In Korea Tops 4 Percent
For the first time, foreign residents make up over 4% of Korea's total population.
Official census data shows there are now
2.11 million foreign residents in the country.
This growth kept Korea's total population from shrinking,
because the number of Korean nationals fell by 54,000.
Foreign workers are becoming essential as Korea faces a serious labor shortage.
The official census confirms that 20.7% of the population is now 65 or older.
This officially makes Korea a super-aged society.
While the Korean working-age population fell by 393,000,
89.3% of foreign residents are in their working years.
Looking at nationalities, ethnic Koreans with Chinese citizenship make up 25.3%.
Vietnamese residents follow at 15.1%,
while ethnic Chinese make up 10.5% and Thai nationals 7.5%.
Many of these workers arrive as international students or seasonal laborers.
This incoming labor force is now vital to keep Korea's key industries running.
Quiz 🧠
Q1. When a country's population gets older, it often needs foreign workers to fill jobs.
Show answer
✅ True
Older societies have fewer working-age people, so they rely on foreign labor to keep businesses running.
Q2. What does 'shortage' mean in 'a labor shortage'?
Show answer
✅ not enough
A shortage means there is not enough of something that is needed.
Q3. Why does South Korea need more foreign workers today?
Show answer
✅ Local workers are declining
Korea's population is aging fast, leaving fewer working-age locals to fill important jobs.
Dialogue 🎧
Liam: Did you see the new population numbers from Korea?
Charlotte: Yes! Foreign residents now make up over four percent of the total population.
Liam: That might not sound huge, but it is a major milestone!
Charlotte: It really is. The official census shows there are now 2.11 million foreign residents.
Liam: So did the total population jump up too?
Charlotte: Not by much! Overall, the population only grew by 12,000.
Liam: Wait, only 12,000? How does that work?
Charlotte: Well, the number of Korean nationals actually fell by 54,000. Foreign growth saved the total from shrinking!
Liam: That is wild! Is the local population just getting older?
Charlotte: Exactly. The census confirmed that 20.7 percent of people are 65 or older.
Liam: That officially makes Korea a super-aged society!
Charlotte: Right, and the Korean working-age population fell by 393,000.
Liam: Oof, that creates a serious labor shortage in key industries.
Charlotte: It really does. But 89.3 percent of the foreign residents are in their working years.
Liam: Wow, almost nine out of ten! So they are filling that huge gap?
Charlotte: Exactly. Many arrive as international students or seasonal laborers. Ethnic Koreans with Chinese citizenship make up 25.3 percent.
Liam: That makes so much sense. It sounds like foreign workers are becoming truly vital there.
Charlotte: Definitely! It shows how much the country relies on new global neighbors now.