South Korea maintains the world's highest rate of plastic surgery per capita. Thirty percent of women aged 19 to 29 have undergone procedures. Market revenues reached 13.9 trillion KRW with double eyelid surgery accounting for 28 percent of all cases.
Key Takeaways
- The industry grew at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2018-2023, reaching 15 trillion KRW
- Post-COVID surge: PS procedures up 20% in 2021-2022
- Medical tourism PS expected to grow 12% annually to 2028
- In 2022, South Korea's plastic surgery market was valued at approximately 13.9 trillion KRW (about $10.5 billion USD), making it the largest per capita in the world
- The average revenue per plastic surgery clinic in Seoul was around 2.5 billion KRW in 2021, driven by high demand for facial procedures
- Plastic surgery exports, including medical tourism, generated $1.2 billion USD for South Korea in 2019 pre-pandemic
- 69% of Korean women in their 20s have undergone plastic surgery, primarily double eyelid and nose jobs
- 30% of South Korean women aged 19-29 have had PS, highest rate globally
- Male patients account for 25% of total PS procedures in 2023, up from 15% in 2015
- Double eyelid surgery is the most popular procedure, comprising 28% of all surgeries with over 450,000 cases in 2022
- Rhinoplasty (nose jobs) accounted for 15% of procedures, around 250,000 annually in 2023
- Botox injections saw 1.2 million procedures in 2022, leading non-surgical treatments
- Complications reported in 2.5% of cases in 2023, down from 4% in 2018 due to regulations
- Illegal clinics shut down: 150 cases in 2023, unlicensed practitioners fined avg 50 million KRW
- Mandatory pre-PS counseling implemented, reducing regrets by 18% per 2022 study
South Korea’s plastic surgery market surged post COVID to 15 trillion KRW, led by 9.2% CAGR growth and tech driven demand.
Related reading
01 · Category
Growth and Trends27 stats
01
The industry grew at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2018-2023, reaching 15 trillion KRW
02
Post-COVID surge: PS procedures up 20% in 2021-2022
03
Medical tourism PS expected to grow 12% annually to 2028
04
Non-surgical procedures grew 25% faster than surgical from 2020-2023
05
AI in PS consultations increased bookings by 30% in 2023 clinics
06
K-beauty export boom drove 15% domestic PS demand rise in 2023
07
Clinic numbers rose from 2,500 in 2018 to 4,200 in 2023
08
Online PS marketplaces grew 40% YoY to 500 billion KRW GMV 2023
09
Male PS market expanded 18% annually since 2019
10
Sustainable PS (eco-fillers) segment up 35% in 2023
11
VR preview tech adopted in 60% clinics, boosting conversion 22%
12
Combo packages (PS+recovery stay) sales up 28% post-2022
13
Telemedicine PS consults surged 50% to 1 million in 2023
14
Luxury PS brands grew 20% market share from 10% in 2020
15
Social media influence drove 25% procedure increase 2022-2023
16
Clinic consolidation: top 10 chains now 30% market share, up from 15%
17
Export of Korean PS techniques to Asia up 40% since 2021
18
Youth PS (under 20) regulated but still grew 10% via parents
19
Personalized 3D printing implants market in PS up 30% YoY
20
Recovery tech (wearables) sales to patients rose 45% in 2023
21
Influencer marketing ROI for PS clinics averaged 5x in 2023
22
Blockchain for PS records piloted, reducing disputes 20%
23
Eco-tourism PS packages emerged, 15% growth in green clinics
24
Metaverse PS try-ons used by 20% clinics, 18% conversion lift
25
Subscription PS maintenance plans signed up 100,000 patients 2023
26
Robotics in PS surgeries increased precision, adopted in 15% top clinics
27
Revision surgery demand up 12% due to trends shift
Interpretation
Growth and Trends Interpretation
Korea's plastic surgery industry is not just thriving, it is aggressively evolving, transforming from a surgical secret into a tech-integrated, globally-marketed, and meticulously optimized empire where your face is the ultimate commodity and innovation never goes under the knife alone.
02 · Category
Market Size and Revenue30 stats
01
In 2022, South Korea's plastic surgery market was valued at approximately 13.9 trillion KRW (about $10.5 billion USD), making it the largest per capita in the world
02
The average revenue per plastic surgery clinic in Seoul was around 2.5 billion KRW in 2021, driven by high demand for facial procedures
03
Plastic surgery exports, including medical tourism, generated $1.2 billion USD for South Korea in 2019 pre-pandemic
04
Gangnam district in Seoul accounts for 40% of the nation's plastic surgery revenue, with over 500 clinics operating there as of 2023
05
The double eyelid surgery market alone in Korea was estimated at 1.2 trillion KRW in 2022, representing 10% of total industry revenue
06
South Korea's plastic surgery industry saw a 15% revenue increase from 2020 to 2022 post-COVID recovery
07
Medical tourism for plastic surgery contributed 24% to Korea's total medical tourism revenue of $1.5 billion in 2023
08
Average price for rhinoplasty in Korea ranges from 3-7 million KRW, generating over 2 trillion KRW annually industry-wide
09
The facial contouring segment contributed 18% to the total plastic surgery market value of 14.5 trillion KRW in 2023
10
Botox and fillers market in Korea reached 3.8 trillion KRW in 2022, with 80% from non-surgical procedures
11
Plastic surgery industry employment reached 120,000 jobs in 2023, supporting ancillary revenue of 5 trillion KRW
12
Premium clinic segment (high-end PS) revenue grew 25% YoY to 4 trillion KRW in 2023
13
Total number of plastic surgery procedures performed in Korea hit 1.7 million in 2022, equating to $9.8 billion market size
14
Jaw reduction surgeries generated 1.5 trillion KRW in revenue in 2022
15
Overseas patient revenue from PS tourism was 800 billion KRW in 2023, up 30% from 2022
16
Per capita plastic surgery spending in Korea is $450annually, highest globally, contributing to 12 trillion KRW market in 2021
17
Anti-aging procedures accounted for 35% of total PS revenue at 5.1 trillion KRW in 2023
18
Seoul's PS clinics reported average monthly revenue of 200 million KRW per clinic in 2023
19
Total PS market projected to reach 18 trillion KRW by 2027, CAGR 7.5%
20
Filler injections revenue hit 2.2 trillion KRW in 2022, with hyaluronic acid dominating 60%
21
Breast augmentation market valued at 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023
22
Liposuction procedures generated 1.1 trillion KRW revenue in 2022
23
Thread lift market in Korea reached 900 billion KRW in 2023
24
Eye surgery revenue segment was 3.5 trillion KRW, 25% of total market in 2022
25
Dermatology-PS crossover revenue added 2 trillion KRW to industry totals in 2023
26
Corporate sponsorships in PS industry contributed 500 billion KRW in marketing revenue 2023
27
Online PS consultation platforms generated 300 billion KRW in 2023
28
Luxury PS hotel packages added 150 billion KRW to tourism revenue in 2023
29
Insurance-covered PS revisions market was 400 billion KRW in 2022
30
Export of PS tech/equipment reached 700 billion KRW in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
South Korea has meticulously engineered a multi-trillion won empire where beauty is not just skin deep but a formidable economic pillar, with Gangnam's scalpel-wielding clinics leading a global charge that turns facial contours into national exports and double eyelids into a ten-percent slice of a booming, post-pandemic market.
03 · Category
Patient Demographics29 stats
01
69% of Korean women in their 20s have undergone plastic surgery, primarily double eyelid and nose jobs
02
30% of South Korean women aged 19-29 have had PS, highest rate globally
03
Male patients account for 25% of total PS procedures in 2023, up from 15% in 2015
04
Foreign patients make up 15% of PS cases, with Chinese nationals at 50% of that group in 2022
05
Average age for first PS is 24 for women and 28 for men in Korea
06
40% of high school graduates consider PS before university, per 2023 survey of 1,000 teens
07
Women aged 20-39 represent 65% of all PS patients in 2022
08
12% of total population has had PS, equating to 6 million people lifetime procedures
09
Regional distribution: 70% of PS patients from Seoul metro area in 2023
10
Income level: 55% of PS patients earn over 50 million KRW annually, per 2022 poll
11
Repeat PS patients comprise 35% of annual procedures, averaging 2.5 surgeries per person
12
K-pop idols influence 45% of young women (18-25) to seek similar procedures
13
University students (20-24) account for 28% of eyelid surgeries
14
Male jaw surgeries: 80% of male patients aged 25-35, 2023 data
15
Overseas Koreans (Joseonjok) 20% of foreign PS patients
16
Postpartum women (30-40s) 22% of body contouring patients
17
LGBTQ+ community estimated 8% of PS seekers, rhinoplasty focus
18
Rural-urban migration for PS: 25% patients travel inter-city
19
Celebrity-driven: 60% of 20s patients cite idols as motivation
20
Seniors (50+) now 10% of total, up from 2% in 2010, anti-aging focus
21
Office workers (25-34) 40% of Botox users
22
Self-employed women 18% higher PS rate than salaried
23
Twin procedures (eyes+nose) popular among 70% of first-timers under 25
24
Military service post-PS: 15% males seek jaw/calf before enlistment
25
Online influencers 30% of patient referrals for 18-24 demo
26
Divorced women 25% higher rate for facelifts, 40-50s group
27
Students financing PS via loans: 20% of 19-23 year olds
28
Gangnam residents 5x national average PS rate
29
Plastic surgery penetration in entertainment industry: 85% of female actors under 30
Interpretation
Patient Demographics Interpretation
In Seoul’s hypercompetitive beauty economy, a nation’s face is its resume, its social currency, and its most commonly upgraded asset—starting with the eyes and nose at 24, funded increasingly by loans, and driven by a culture where even high school graduates and new mothers see the scalpel as a standard tool for social navigation.
More related reading
04 · Category
Procedure Types and Popularity25 stats
01
Double eyelid surgery is the most popular procedure, comprising 28% of all surgeries with over 450,000 cases in 2022
02
Rhinoplasty (nose jobs) accounted for 15% of procedures, around 250,000 annually in 2023
03
Botox injections saw 1.2 million procedures in 2022, leading non-surgical treatments
04
Jaw reduction (V-line surgery) performed 180,000 times in 2022, popular among 20-30s
05
Breast augmentation with implants reached 120,000 cases in 2023, up 10% YoY
06
Liposuction procedures totaled 300,000 in 2022, focusing on abdominal areas
07
Filler injections (hyaluronic acid) numbered 950,000 in 2023
08
Facial contouring surgeries (cheekbone, square jaw) hit 200,000 cases in 2022
09
Thread lifts performed 400,000 times in 2023, minimally invasive trend
10
Fat grafting (self-fat transfer) saw 150,000 procedures in 2022
11
Ptosis correction (droopy eyelids) reached 100,000 cases annually in 2023
12
Calf reduction surgeries totaled 50,000 in 2022, popular for slim legs
13
Zygoma reduction (cheekbone) performed 90,000 times in 2023
14
Laser skin treatments combined with PS hit 600,000 sessions in 2022
15
Smile liptite (lip reshaping) grew to 80,000 procedures in 2023
16
Short nose correction surgeries numbered 70,000 in 2022
17
Anti-aging facelifts totaled 40,000 surgical cases in 2023
18
Hip augmentation procedures reached 30,000 in 2022, rising trend
19
Epicanthoplasty (eye corner extension) performed 110,000 times in 2023
20
Gonial angle reduction (jaw angle) saw 75,000 cases in 2022
21
Hyaluronidase dissolution procedures for fillers hit 50,000 in 2023
22
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor removals in PS context: 20,000 minor revisions
23
Canthoplasty (lateral canthoplasty) totaled 130,000 in 2022
24
Non-incisional double eyelid methods dominated 60% of 450k eyelid surgeries in 2023
25
Silhouette lift procedures grew to 25,000 in 2023
Interpretation
Procedure Types and Popularity Interpretation
In a nation where 1.2 million Botox injections suggest a collective fear of expression, the 450,000 double eyelid surgeries reveal a deeply ingrained cultural script that even our resting faces are meant to be edited.
05 · Category
Safety and Regulations25 stats
01
Complications reported in 2.5% of cases in 2023, down from 4% in 2018 due to regulations
02
Illegal clinics shut down: 150 cases in 2023, unlicensed practitioners fined avg 50 million KRW
03
Mandatory pre-PS counseling implemented, reducing regrets by 18% per 2022 study
04
Infection rates post-rhinoplasty: 1.2% in certified clinics vs 5% unlicensed, 2023 data
05
Government registry for PS doctors: 95% compliance in 2023
06
Asymmetry complications in double eyelid: 3.1% revision rate
07
Botox side effects reported: 0.8% ptosis cases per 1 million injections
08
Filler migration incidents: 2.4% , regulated by new hyaluronic standards 2023
09
Jaw surgery necrosis risk: 0.9% with proper vascular checks
10
Breast implant rupture rate: 1.5% within 5 years, ALCL cases 0.01%
11
Liposuction fat embolism: 0.02% mortality, strict protocols enforced
12
Post-op hematoma in facelifts: 2.7%, reduced by 40% with drains mandate
13
Advertising bans for before-after photos cut false claims 25%
14
Emergency response training for clinics: 100% certified by 2024 goal
15
Revision rates overall: 8.5% , highest for rhinoplasty at 12%
16
Antibiotic prophylaxis reduced infections 35% in contouring surgeries
17
Underage PS ban under 19 strict, violations fined 100 million KRW
18
Stem cell PS therapies regulated, efficacy claims banned unless proven
19
Clinic inspections: 2,000 annually, 10% fail hygiene standards
20
Patient satisfaction post-PS: 92% in certified vs 78% non-certified
21
Laser burn incidents down 50% with certification programs
22
Foreign patient insurance mandate covered 95% claims in 2023
23
Overdose Botox fines: avg 30 million KRW, 50 cases 2023
24
V-line surgery nerve damage: 1.8%, improved with nerve mapping tech
25
Post-lipo seroma rate: 4.2%, managed with compression protocols
Interpretation
Safety and Regulations Interpretation
While the Korean plastic surgery industry is tightening its belt with impressive stats—from slashing complication rates to shuttering illegal clinics—the real beauty is in the details: a 92% satisfaction rate in certified clinics proves that when safety and skill are non-negotiable, the only thing that should be lifted are standards, not just faces.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Korean Plastic Surgery Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-plastic-surgery-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Korean Plastic Surgery Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korean-plastic-surgery-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Korean Plastic Surgery Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korean-plastic-surgery-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level