"Let's Learn Korean"... Overseas Korean Language Classes Increase by Over 50% in Four Years

236,089 Students Learning Korean, Up 38%

Ministry of Education: "Rising Demand to Study in Korea, Local Teacher Training Make an Impact"

As global demand for learning Korean continues to rise rapidly, the number of overseas elementary, middle, and high schools operating Korean language classes has increased by more than 50% over the past four years.

On May 10, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing data submitted by Assemblyman Kim Moonsu of the Education Committee to the Ministry of Education, that as of the end of last year, a total of 2,777 overseas schools were offering Korean language classes. This represents a 9.9% increase from the previous year.

This statistic is based on the number of local regular elementary and secondary schools abroad that offer Korean language either as part of their regular curriculum or as an after-school program. The data is collected annually at the end of December by Korean Education Centers and overseas diplomatic missions.

By year, the figures show steady growth: 1,806 schools in 2021, 1,928 in 2022, 2,154 in 2023, and 2,526 in 2024. Compared to four years ago, this marks a 54% increase.

A school in Paraguay is conducting Korean language classes. Photo by Yonhap News

The number of students learning Korean has also continued to rise. In 2021, there were 170,563 students, and by last year, this had grown to 236,089, representing a 38% increase over four years. In the most recent year alone, the growth rate reached 6.1%.

As of last year, Korean language classes were offered in 47 countries, an increase of five countries compared to 2021. Uzbekistan saw the largest increase in the number of schools in the past year, adding 68 institutions. This was followed by Sri Lanka (43 schools), Vietnam (37), the Philippines (26), Brazil (24), and the United States (21).

On the other hand, the number of schools operating Korean language classes in the Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Georgia, Ethiopia, Moldova, and Turkmenistan stood at just one in each country.

The Ministry of Education analyzed that the spread of Hallyu content such as K-pop and Korean dramas, the rising demand for studying abroad in Korea, the distribution of Korean language textbooks, and the training of local teachers through government support policies have all contributed to this growth.

Assemblyman Kim stated, "The fact that Korean language classes in foreign schools have increased by more than 50% in four years is the result of the synergy between the Korean Wave and government support," adding, "It is necessary to ensure the stable expansion of the budget supporting the adoption of Korean language in overseas elementary and secondary schools."

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