Population with Migration Background Increases by 134,000... Now Accounts for 5.2% of Total Population

2.715 Million People in Korea Have a Migration Background as of Last Year
People in Their 30s Account for the Largest Share at 660,000 (24.3%)
Number of Children and Adolescents Under 25 Rises by 54,000

The number of people with a migration background-defined as individuals who themselves or whose parents have at least one parent with a migration background-increased by 134,000 last year. This group now accounts for 5.2% of the total population. The rise is attributed to an increase in foreign workers, international students, and marriage migrants, as well as the formation of families as these individuals have children.

Our Multicultural Children's Choir is performing the opening show at the 2025 Korea Multicultural Festa held last October at Baekbeom Square in Namsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the "2024 Statistics on Population with a Migration Background" released by the National Data Office on December 8, as of November 1 last year, the domestic population with a migration background stood at 2,715,000, up by 134,000 (5.2%) compared to the previous year. This represents 5.2% of the total population, an increase of 0.3 percentage points.

Kim Seoyoung, Director of the Population Census Division at the National Data Office, stated, "Compared to the total population, which increased by 31,000 people or 0.1% year-on-year, both the absolute and relative growth of the migration background population are significant." She explained, "This increase is mainly due to the growth in the number of foreign workers, international students, and marriage migrants residing in Korea, as well as the formation of families as these individuals naturalize or marry and have children." She also cited the expansion of the Employment Permit System as a contributing factor.

Among the population with a migration background, the number of Korean nationals was 672,000, an increase of 27,000 (4.1%). The number of foreign nationals was 2,043,000, an increase of 108,000 (5.6%). The proportions of Korean nationals and foreign nationals were 24.8% and 75.2%, respectively. By type among Korean nationals, second-generation immigrants accounted for 14.0%, naturalized citizens and those with recognized nationality for 9.0%, and others for 1.7%.

By age group, those in their 30s comprised the largest share at 660,000 (24.3%), followed by those in their 20s at 570,000 (21.0%) and those in their 40s at 419,000 (15.4%). Compared to the previous year, the age group that saw the largest increase was those in their 20s, which grew by 42,000 (8.0%).

The working-age population (15-64 years old) was 2,223,000, an increase of 119,000 (5.7%). This group accounted for 81.9% of the total population with a migration background. The child and adolescent population (0-14 years old) made up 12.7% (344,000), while the elderly population aged 65 and over accounted for 5.5% (148,000).

The number of children and adolescents aged 24 or younger with a migration background was 738,000, an increase of 54,000 (7.9%). Of these, the number of Korean nationals was 367,000, up by 12,000 (3.4%), while the number of foreign nationals was 372,000, an increase of 42,000 (12.8%). Their proportions were 49.7% and 50.3%, respectively. Among Korean nationals, second-generation immigrants accounted for the largest share at 44.9%.

Regarding the nationality of the parents of children and adolescents with a migration background, Vietnam accounted for the largest share with 201,000 (27.2%), followed by China with 122,000 (16.5%), and ethnic Koreans from China with 88,000 (12.0%). China, including ethnic Koreans, and Vietnam together accounted for 55.7% of all children and adolescents with a migration background.

Of the population with a migration background, 56.8% (1,542,000) resided in the greater Seoul metropolitan area. By region, Gyeonggi Province had the largest number at 887,000 (32.7%), followed by Seoul with 475,000 (17.5%), Incheon with 180,000 (6.6%), South Chungcheong Province with 176,000 (6.5%), and South Gyeongsang Province with 168,000 (6.2%).

The population with a migration background refers to individuals who themselves or whose parents have at least one parent with a migration background. The total is calculated as the sum of foreign nationals (those who do not currently hold Korean citizenship) and Korean nationals, with the latter further classified as naturalized citizens, those with recognized nationality, second-generation immigrants, or others. Dual nationals are counted as Korean nationals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.