The number of individuals with an immigrant background in South Korea has risen to 2.81 million, accounting for 5.4% of the total population. This marks an increase of 95,000 people (3.5%) from the previous year, with the proportion of those in their 20s reaching 10.0% of the overall population.
According to the "2025 Immigrant Background Population Statistics" released by the National Data Agency on October 26, the immigrant background population stood at 2.81 million as of November last year, reflecting a 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous year. The growth rate has slowed, with the increase in foreign nationals dropping from 5.6% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025.
Among the immigrant background population, 2.109 million are foreign nationals, making up 75.1%. The remaining 701,000 are naturalized citizens and second-generation immigrants, representing 24.9%.
In terms of age distribution, the working-age population (ages 15-64) comprised 2.302 million individuals, or 81.9% of the immigrant background population. This is 12.7 percentage points higher than the working-age population proportion of 69.2% in the total population. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 65 and older is only 5.8%, significantly lower than the total population's elderly demographic of 20.7%.
Individuals in their 20s and 30s represent 21.6% and 23.7% of the immigrant background population, respectively. The proportion of immigrant background individuals in their 20s is 10.0%, while for those in their 30s, it is 9.5%. The number of individuals in their 20s with an immigrant background increased by 36,000 (6.4%) from the previous year, marking the largest growth among all age groups.
Kyung Eun-sook, head of the Population Census Division at the National Data Agency, stated, "The high proportion of immigrant background individuals in their 20s and 30s is influenced by the influx of foreign students and the increase in non-professional employment through the employment permit system. These individuals support the labor demand in domestic manufacturing and construction sectors."
There are 787,000 children and adolescents under the age of 24 with an immigrant background, an increase of 49,000 (6.6%) from the previous year, making up 28.0% of the total immigrant background population. The proportion of immigrant background individuals among all children and adolescents rose from 6.3% in 2023 to 7.7% in 2025.
Among the immigrant background children and adolescents, 411,000 (52.2%) are foreign nationals, while 376,000 (47.8%) are citizens, with a significant portion being second-generation immigrants. By parental nationality, the largest groups are from Vietnam (28.0%), China (15.7%), and Korean-Chinese (11.4%).
Regionally, 56.0% of the immigrant background population resides in the metropolitan area, with Gyeonggi Province (32.3%), Seoul (17.1%), and Incheon (6.7%) having the highest concentrations. Within specific cities and counties, Ansan, Hwaseong, Siheung, and Suwon in Gyeonggi Province have the largest distributions.
There are 21 cities and counties where the proportion of the immigrant background population exceeds 10% of the total population, including Yeongam County in Jeollanam-do and Eumseong County in Chungcheongbuk-do. In nine cities and counties, such as Goseong County in Gangwon-do, the proportion of immigrant background children and adolescents among those under 24 exceeds 20%.
Kyung added, "The statistics on the immigrant background population encompass not only foreign nationals but also those who have settled in the country with diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Understanding regional and age-specific characteristics can aid in the formulation of multicultural and immigrant policies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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