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| Ministry of Justice (법무부) |
The number of foreign nationals in South Korea has officially surpassed 5% of the country’s total registered population, reaching an all-time high, according to the Ministry of Justice.
📊 Key Statistics (2024):
✅ Total foreign nationals: 2.65 million
✅ South Korea’s registered population: 51.2 million
✅ Foreign nationals now make up: 5.1% of the population
This milestone marks the highest foreign population ever recorded, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 2.52 million in 2019.
📈 Foreign Population Growth Trends
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign nationals accounted for 4.87% of the population (2019).
- During the pandemic, the percentage dropped to 3.79% (2021).
- However, by 2023, the foreign population rebounded to 4.89%, and in 2024, it exceeded 5% for the first time.
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| Foreigners in Seoul, Korea. |
🛂 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Foreign Residents
Among the 2.65 million foreign nationals in South Korea:
🔹 77% (2.04 million) are long-term residents, meaning they stay for more than three months and are required to register with the Korea Immigration Service.
🔹 23% are short-term visitors, including tourists who stay 90 days or less without registration.
Notably, 2024 is the first year South Korea recorded over 2 million long-term foreign residents.
🌍 Top Foreign Nationalities in South Korea (2024)
1️⃣ China – 960,000
2️⃣ Vietnam – 305,936
3️⃣ Thailand – 188,770
4️⃣ United States – 170,251
5️⃣ Uzbekistan – 94,893
📍 Where do foreign residents live?
Over 1.27 million foreigners reside in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, making the capital region home to nearly half of all foreign nationals in South Korea.
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| Foreign students in Korea |
🎓 Surge in International Students: 16.5% Growth in One Year
The number of international students in South Korea has seen a steady increase, rising from 153,361 in 2020 to 263,775 in 2024—a 16.5% increase compared to 2023.
📌 Breakdown of International Students (2024):
- 178,519 are enrolled in degree programs.
- 85,256 are attending short-term programs, including Korean language courses.
This trend reflects South Korea's growing appeal as a top study destination for international students.
📉 Illegal Immigration Declines
Despite the rising foreign population, the number of undocumented residents in South Korea fell by 6.2% in 2024, dropping to 397,522.
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| Refugee welcome in Korea |
🛂 Refugee Acceptance in South Korea Remains Low
South Korea continues to have one of the lowest refugee acceptance rates globally.
📌 Refugee Status Applications (2024):
- Total applications: 18,336
- Cases reviewed: 5,610
- Refugee status granted: 105 (Less than 2% acceptance rate)
- Humanitarian stay permits issued: 101
Top Nationalities Granted Refugee Status:
🇪🇬 Egypt – 39 people
🇲🇲 Myanmar – 24 people
🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 🇧🇮 Burundi – Fewer than 10 each
Individuals from Haiti, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen were granted humanitarian stay permits instead of full refugee status.
🔍 The Future of South Korea’s Immigration Policy
With foreign residents now exceeding 5% of the population, the South Korean government is focusing on:
✅ Attracting skilled foreign workers to boost economic growth
✅ Welcoming international students to strengthen global education ties
✅ Balancing immigration policies with public support for social integration
As South Korea navigates demographic challenges, foreign nationals are becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s future.
Source: koreaherald
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