[Source: Fair Trade Commission]
Last year, the average earnings of multi-level marketing (MLM) representatives were reported at 1.37 million won. While the top 1% earned an average of 73.42 million won, the bottom 70% received only 80,000 won, highlighting a significant income disparity.
On July 1, the Fair Trade Commission released key information regarding MLM companies for the year 2025. The survey was conducted in April and included 112 active MLM companies.
According to the findings, the total sales in the MLM market decreased by 0.51% from the previous year, amounting to 4.5141 trillion won. The number of companies and representatives increased by seven and 60,000, respectively, totaling 112 companies and 6.95 million representatives. The total amount of performance bonuses, which are linked to personal sales and the sales of lower-tier representatives, rose by 0.11% from the previous year to 1.5115 trillion won.
Approximately 1.1 million (15.9%) of all representatives received earnings at least once. Their average earnings increased slightly to 1.37 million won from 1.305 million won the previous year.
Representatives in the top 1% earned an average of 73.42 million won annually. Those in the 1% to 6% bracket earned an average of 7.58 million won, while representatives in the 6% to 30% range earned an average of 840,000 won. In stark contrast, the remaining 70% of representatives received an average of only 86,000 won annually, indicating a severe income polarization among MLM representatives.
The survey also revealed the top 10 MLM companies based on sales. The total sales of the top 10 companies, including Korea Amway and Atomy, amounted to 3.4813 trillion won, accounting for approximately 77% of the total registered representatives in the market.
On July 1, the Fair Trade Commission released key information regarding MLM companies for the year 2025. The survey was conducted in April and included 112 active MLM companies.
According to the findings, the total sales in the MLM market decreased by 0.51% from the previous year, amounting to 4.5141 trillion won. The number of companies and representatives increased by seven and 60,000, respectively, totaling 112 companies and 6.95 million representatives. The total amount of performance bonuses, which are linked to personal sales and the sales of lower-tier representatives, rose by 0.11% from the previous year to 1.5115 trillion won.
Approximately 1.1 million (15.9%) of all representatives received earnings at least once. Their average earnings increased slightly to 1.37 million won from 1.305 million won the previous year.
Representatives in the top 1% earned an average of 73.42 million won annually. Those in the 1% to 6% bracket earned an average of 7.58 million won, while representatives in the 6% to 30% range earned an average of 840,000 won. In stark contrast, the remaining 70% of representatives received an average of only 86,000 won annually, indicating a severe income polarization among MLM representatives.
The survey also revealed the top 10 MLM companies based on sales. The total sales of the top 10 companies, including Korea Amway and Atomy, amounted to 3.4813 trillion won, accounting for approximately 77% of the total registered representatives in the market.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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