Korea’s manufacturing industry is a global engine, reflected in export scale and productivity. In 2023, manufacturing value added grew 2.4% and labor productivity rose, while semiconductor and auto demand shaped production. The page breaks down employment, wages, R&D, energy intensity, and key sectors—so you can track what drives growth and where pressure points appear.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea's manufacturing employment totaled 4.12 million persons in 2023, representing 16.5% of total employment
- Average monthly wages in manufacturing were KRW 4.82 million in 2023, up 3.1% YoY
- Manufacturing labor productivity per hour was USD 45.2 in 2022
- South Korea's manufacturing exports reached USD 643.7 billion in 2023, accounting for 85% of total exports
- Semiconductor exports totaled USD 128.9 billion in 2023, up 7.8% YoY
- Automobile exports were USD 64.2 billion in 2023, with 3.95 million units shipped
- Manufacturing R&D expenditure was KRW 112.4 trillion in 2022, 82% of national total R&D
- R&D intensity in manufacturing: 5.8% of value added in 2023
- Private sector manufacturing R&D: KRW 92.7 trillion in 2022
- In 2022, South Korea's manufacturing production index stood at 108.5 (2020=100), reflecting a 3.2% year-on-year growth driven by semiconductors and automobiles
- The semiconductor manufacturing sector in South Korea produced 1.47 million tons of semiconductors in 2023, accounting for 18.5% of global output
- Automobile production in South Korea reached 4.22 million units in 2022, with exports comprising 78.9% of total production
- Manufacturing total factor productivity grew 1.8% YoY in 2023
- Labor productivity in manufacturing: USD 42,500 per worker in 2022
- Energy intensity in manufacturing: 0.12 toe per KRW million value added in 2023
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment And Labor29 stats
01
South Korea's manufacturing employment totaled 4.12 million persons in 2023, representing 16.5% of total employment
02
Average monthly wages in manufacturing were KRW 4.82 million in 2023, up 3.1% YoY
03
Manufacturing labor productivity per hour was USD 45.2 in 2022
04
Youth employment (15-29) in manufacturing was 8.2% of sector workforce in 2023
05
Female employment share in manufacturing reached 28.4% in 2022
06
Manufacturing unemployment rate was 2.9% in 2023
07
Average working hours in manufacturing were 198 hours per month in 2023
08
Semiconductor industry employed 250,000 workers in 2023
09
Automotive sector jobs totaled 780,000 in 2022
10
Shipbuilding employment was 120,000 persons in 2023, up 5%
11
Steel industry workforce stood at 145,000 in 2022
12
Chemical manufacturing employed 210,000 workers in 2023
13
Labor dispute incidents in manufacturing fell to 45 in 2023
14
Manufacturing job openings averaged 180,000 per month in 2023
15
Vocational training participants in manufacturing: 450,000 in 2022
16
Part-time workers in manufacturing: 12.5% of total employment in 2023
17
Foreign workers in manufacturing: 420,000 (10.2%) in 2023
18
Labor productivity growth in manufacturing: 2.8% YoY 2023
19
Unit labor cost index in manufacturing: 102.4 (2020=100) in 2023
20
Manufacturing employment growth rate: 1.2% in 2023
21
Skilled worker shortage in manufacturing: 25% of firms reported in 2023 survey
22
Overtime hours average: 12.4 hours/month in manufacturing 2023
23
Unionization rate in manufacturing: 18.7% in 2022
24
Wage premium for manufacturing workers: 15.2% above national average in 2023
25
Manufacturing apprenticeships: 35,000 enrolled in 2023
26
Injury rate per 10,000 workers in manufacturing: 28.5 in 2022
27
Electronics manufacturing employment: 1.1 million in 2023
28
Manufacturing sector added 45,000 jobs in 2023
29
Labor force participation rate in manufacturing ages 15-64: 62.3% in 2023
Interpretation
Employment And Labor Interpretation
In 2023, South Korea’s manufacturing still employed 4.12 million people and paid average monthly wages of KRW 4.82 million, while improving labor conditions alongside a 2.9% unemployment rate and relatively low youth employment of 8.2% in the sector.
02 · Category
Exports And Trade26 stats
01
South Korea's manufacturing exports reached USD 643.7 billion in 2023, accounting for 85% of total exports
02
Semiconductor exports totaled USD 128.9 billion in 2023, up 7.8% YoY
03
Automobile exports were USD 64.2 billion in 2023, with 3.95 million units shipped
04
Shipbuilding export orders: 2,200 vessels worth USD 102 billion in 2023
05
Steel exports: 19.3 million tons valued at USD 17.5 billion in 2022
06
Petrochemical exports grew 5.4% to USD 45.6 billion in 2023
07
Display panel exports: USD 38.2 billion in 2023
08
Machinery exports: USD 78.4 billion, up 4.1% in 2023
09
Battery exports: USD 22.1 billion in 2023
10
Pharmaceutical exports: USD 9.8 billion, growth 12.3% in 2023
11
Top export destination for manufacturing: China at 22.5% share in 2023
12
US market share for Korean manufacturing exports: 18.7% in 2023
13
EU imports from Korean manufacturing: USD 55.3 billion in 2023
14
Export dependency ratio for manufacturing: 92% in 2023
15
Manufacturing import value: USD 412.5 billion in 2023
16
Trade surplus in manufacturing goods: USD 231.2 billion in 2023
17
Electronics exports to Vietnam: USD 25.4 billion in 2023
18
Auto parts exports: USD 42.7 billion in 2023
19
Wireless communication equipment exports: USD 45.1 billion
20
Refined petroleum exports: USD 32.8 billion in 2023
21
Export growth rate for manufacturing: 1.2% in 2023 despite global slowdown
22
Share of high-tech exports in manufacturing: 42.3% in 2022
23
Manufacturing export price index: 115.6 (2015=100) in 2023
24
Number of manufacturing export firms: 45,200 in 2023
25
Trade balance with ASEAN for manufacturing: +USD 45.6 billion in 2023
26
FDI in manufacturing exports promotion: USD 12.4 billion inflows 2023
03 · Category
Investment And R&d25 stats
01
Manufacturing R&D expenditure was KRW 112.4 trillion in 2022, 82% of national total R&D
02
R&D intensity in manufacturing: 5.8% of value added in 2023
03
Private sector manufacturing R&D: KRW 92.7 trillion in 2022
04
Government R&D funding to manufacturing: KRW 19.8 trillion in 2023
05
Patent applications from manufacturing: 210,500 in 2023
06
Semiconductor R&D investment: USD 45.2 billion in 2023
07
Automotive R&D spending: KRW 18.5 trillion in 2022
08
Shipbuilding R&D: KRW 1.2 trillion in 2023
09
Steel R&D investment grew 6.2% to KRW 2.8 trillion
10
Chemical R&D: KRW 8.4 trillion in 2023
11
Capital investment in manufacturing: KRW 450 trillion in 2023, up 2.5%
12
FDI inflows to manufacturing: USD 18.7 billion in 2023
13
Venture capital in manufacturing tech: KRW 15.6 trillion in 2022
14
R&D personnel in manufacturing: 520,000 in 2023
15
Manufacturing innovation centers: 150 funded in 2023
16
AI-related R&D in manufacturing: KRW 3.2 trillion in 2023
17
Green tech R&D investment: KRW 12.1 trillion in manufacturing 2023
18
Robotics R&D: KRW 1.8 trillion
19
Biotech manufacturing R&D: KRW 4.5 trillion in 2022
20
Number of manufacturing R&D projects: 12,500 in 2023
21
R&D tax credits claimed by manufacturing: KRW 9.7 trillion in 2022
22
Collaborative R&D between firms and universities: 4,200 projects in manufacturing 2023
23
Manufacturing value added per R&D dollar: KRW 12.4 million in 2023
24
Overseas R&D centers by Korean manufacturers: 450 in 2023
25
Investment in smart factories: KRW 25 trillion cumulative by 2023
Interpretation
Investment And R&d Interpretation
In Korea’s Investment and R&D landscape, manufacturing drove major R&D spending and innovation with KRW 112.4 trillion invested in 2022, accounting for 82% of the national total, and followed it with a strong 5.8% manufacturing R&D intensity in 2023 alongside 210,500 patent applications and USD 45.2 billion in semiconductor R&D investment.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production And Output29 stats
01
In 2022, South Korea's manufacturing production index stood at 108.5 (2020=100), reflecting a 3.2% year-on-year growth driven by semiconductors and automobiles
02
The semiconductor manufacturing sector in South Korea produced 1.47 million tons of semiconductors in 2023, accounting for 18.5% of global output
03
Automobile production in South Korea reached 4.22 million units in 2022, with exports comprising 78.9% of total production
04
Shipbuilding output in South Korea totaled 1.95 million CGT in 2023, leading the world with a 32% global market share
05
Steel production in South Korea was 67.1 million metric tons in 2022, ranking 6th globally
06
Chemical manufacturing output grew by 4.1% in 2023 to KRW 142 trillion
07
Display panel production value in South Korea hit KRW 45.6 trillion in 2022, with OLED panels at 65% share
08
Machinery production index increased by 2.8% YoY to 112.4 in December 2023
09
Petroleum refining output was 817 million barrels in 2022
10
Food manufacturing production reached KRW 78.3 trillion in 2023, up 3.5%
11
Textile manufacturing output declined 1.2% to KRW 12.5 trillion in 2022
12
Metal products production index was 105.6 in 2023
13
Electronics manufacturing value added was 25.4% of total manufacturing in 2021
14
Battery manufacturing capacity reached 1,200 GWh in 2023
15
Pharmaceutical production grew 5.2% to KRW 28.1 trillion in 2022
16
Rubber and plastics output increased 4.3% YoY in 2023
17
Furniture manufacturing production was KRW 8.7 trillion in 2022
18
Paper and pulp production totaled 12.4 million tons in 2023
19
Non-metallic minerals output grew 2.1% to KRW 35.6 trillion
20
Electrical equipment production index hit 118.2 in Q4 2023
21
Precision instruments manufacturing value was KRW 15.2 trillion in 2022
22
Apparel production declined 5.4% to KRW 4.1 trillion in 2023
23
Leather goods output was KRW 1.8 trillion, down 2.7%
24
Printing and recording media production at KRW 6.3 trillion in 2022
25
Other manufacturing output KRW 22.4 trillion, up 1.8%
26
Manufacturing PMI was 49.2 in January 2024, indicating contraction
27
Capacity utilization rate in manufacturing averaged 75.6% in 2023
28
Inventory-to-shipment ratio was 0.85 in manufacturing Q4 2023
29
New orders index for manufacturing rose 4.7% YoY in 2023
05 · Category
Productivity And Efficiency21 stats
01
Manufacturing total factor productivity grew 1.8% YoY in 2023
02
Labor productivity in manufacturing: USD 42,500 per worker in 2022
03
Energy intensity in manufacturing: 0.12 toe per KRW million value added in 2023
04
Manufacturing value added growth: 2.4% in 2023
05
Semiconductor productivity index: 132.5 (2015=100) in 2023
06
Automobile assembly efficiency: 95.2 vehicles per employee per year in 2022
07
Shipbuilding labor productivity: USD 450,000 per worker in 2023
08
Steel output per employee: 463 tons in 2022
09
Chemical industry value added per worker: KRW 180 million in 2023
10
Smart factory adoption rate: 42% of manufacturers in 2023, boosting productivity 15%
11
Manufacturing defect rate average: 0.85% in 2023
12
On-time delivery rate in manufacturing: 92.3% in 2023 survey
13
Inventory turnover ratio: 5.8 times per year in manufacturing 2023
14
Digital transformation index for manufacturing: 68.4/100 in 2023
15
Energy efficiency improvement: 2.1% YoY in manufacturing 2023
16
Automation rate in manufacturing: 65% of processes in 2023
17
Multi-factor productivity growth: 1.5% annual average 2018-2023
18
Manufacturing GDP contribution: 26.8% in 2023
19
Output per hour worked in manufacturing: KRW 68,500 in 2023
20
Carbon productivity in manufacturing: KRW 4.2 million per ton CO2 in 2023
21
Supply chain efficiency score: 87/100 for Korean manufacturers 2023
Interpretation
Productivity And Efficiency Interpretation
Korean manufacturing shows steady efficiency gains in 2023 with total factor productivity rising 1.8% YoY and manufacturing energy intensity staying at 0.12 toe per KRW million value added, supported by 2.4% value added growth.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Korean Manufacturing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-manufacturing-industry-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Korean Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korean-manufacturing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Korean Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-manufacturing-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
69 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level