GITNUXREPORT 2025

South Korea Education Statistics

South Korea excels in education with high literacy, enrollment, and innovation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

South Korea's literacy rate for adults is approximately 97.9%

Statistic 2

South Korea's high school graduation rate is nearly 100%

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South Korea’s primary school enrollment rate is approximately 99%

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The dropout rate for South Korean middle schools is around 0.4%

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South Korea's teacher-to-student ratio in primary education is about 1:20

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About 30% of South Korean high school students attend specialized schools for sciences and technology

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South Korea's national literacy rate among youth (15-24) is over 99%

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Approximately 85% of South Korean university students speak at least two languages, with English being most common

Statistic 9

In South Korea, the student-teacher ratio in secondary education is approximately 14:1

Statistic 10

The country has implemented a 12-year compulsory education policy, covering elementary to middle school

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South Korea's educational attainment levels have improved, with 70% of the population aged 25-34 having completed high school or higher

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About 80% of South Korean students use online learning platforms for supplementary education

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The literacy rate among South Korean women aged 15-64 is approximately 98%

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South Korea has implemented a 5-day school week in secondary schools to improve student welfare

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In South Korea, approximately 91% of high school students attend private tutoring or hagwons

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South Korea spends about 6.7% of its GDP on education

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Approximately 70% of South Korean students participate in after-school programs

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The country allocates around KRW 20 trillion annually for education funding

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Approximately 65% of Korean students attend private cram schools to prepare for university entrance exams

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Public expenditure on education per capita in South Korea is approximately KRW 2 million

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South Korea's government has increased investments in early childhood education, now accounting for approximately 1.4% of GDP

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South Korea's investment in educational research and development accounts for about 0.5% of total R&D expenditure

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South Korea ranks 4th globally in tertiary education enrollment rate

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South Korea's gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education is approximately 89%

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The number of students enrolled in South Korean universities exceeds 3 million

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South Korea has one of the highest rates of university graduation among OECD countries at over 80%

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Approximately 60% of South Korean youth aged 25-34 have completed tertiary education

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South Korea has over 370 universities and colleges

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The average annual tuition fee for South Korean universities is around 4,000 USD for undergraduate programs

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South Korea's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrollment accounts for over 60% of university students

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South Korea hosts more than 50 internationally recognized research universities

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South Korea's university entrance rate for high school graduates is close to 80%

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South Korea has a rising number of coding and computer science students, now representing over 30% of university majors

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The average age at which South Korean students graduate university is 23 years old

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South Korea's university graduation rate in engineering disciplines exceeds 85%

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Nearly 50% of Korean college graduates are employed in the tech and service sectors

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The gender parity index for enrollment in higher education in South Korea is close to 1.0, indicating equal participation rates

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Nearly 200,000 international students are enrolled in South Korean universities

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South Korea ranks 5th globally for countries with the highest number of foreign students in higher education

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The percentage of Korean students who pursue higher education abroad is around 10%

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The average score of South Korean students in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) is 514 in reading, 517 in mathematics, and 526 in science

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72% of South Korean students report high levels of academic stress

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The average score of South Korean students in the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) for 8th grade is 592 in math and 571 in science

Statistic 44

South Korea's educational achievement gap between urban and rural areas has decreased over the past decade but still exists, with urban areas outperforming rural areas by 10%

Statistic 45

The average score of South Korean students in the 2021 PISA for reading was 511, slightly below the OECD average of 488

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Key Highlights

South Korea's literacy rate for adults is approximately 97.9%
South Korea ranks 4th globally in tertiary education enrollment rate
In South Korea, approximately 91% of high school students attend private tutoring or hagwons
South Korea spends about 6.7% of its GDP on education
The average score of South Korean students in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) is 514 in reading, 517 in mathematics, and 526 in science
South Korea's gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education is approximately 89%
The number of students enrolled in South Korean universities exceeds 3 million
South Korea has one of the highest rates of university graduation among OECD countries at over 80%
Approximately 60% of South Korean youth aged 25-34 have completed tertiary education
South Korea's high school graduation rate is nearly 100%
South Korea’s primary school enrollment rate is approximately 99%
The dropout rate for South Korean middle schools is around 0.4%
72% of South Korean students report high levels of academic stress

With nearly 98% adult literacy and a global ranking as the fourth highest in tertiary education enrollment, South Korea’s education system exemplifies both excellence and intense academic dedication.

Education Attainment and Literacy

South Korea's literacy rate for adults is approximately 97.9%
South Korea's high school graduation rate is nearly 100%
South Korea’s primary school enrollment rate is approximately 99%
The dropout rate for South Korean middle schools is around 0.4%
South Korea's teacher-to-student ratio in primary education is about 1:20
About 30% of South Korean high school students attend specialized schools for sciences and technology
South Korea's national literacy rate among youth (15-24) is over 99%
Approximately 85% of South Korean university students speak at least two languages, with English being most common
In South Korea, the student-teacher ratio in secondary education is approximately 14:1
The country has implemented a 12-year compulsory education policy, covering elementary to middle school
South Korea's educational attainment levels have improved, with 70% of the population aged 25-34 having completed high school or higher
About 80% of South Korean students use online learning platforms for supplementary education
The literacy rate among South Korean women aged 15-64 is approximately 98%
South Korea has implemented a 5-day school week in secondary schools to improve student welfare

Education Attainment and Literacy Interpretation

South Korea’s education system, boasting near-universal literacy and exceptional graduation rates, combines a rigorous 12-year curriculum with a high level of multilingualism and technological engagement—yet its remarkably low dropout rate and dedicated efforts to student welfare suggest that behind the high scores lies a nation striving to balance academic excellence with well-being.

Expenditure and Investment in Education

In South Korea, approximately 91% of high school students attend private tutoring or hagwons
South Korea spends about 6.7% of its GDP on education
Approximately 70% of South Korean students participate in after-school programs
The country allocates around KRW 20 trillion annually for education funding
Approximately 65% of Korean students attend private cram schools to prepare for university entrance exams
Public expenditure on education per capita in South Korea is approximately KRW 2 million
South Korea's government has increased investments in early childhood education, now accounting for approximately 1.4% of GDP
South Korea's investment in educational research and development accounts for about 0.5% of total R&D expenditure

Expenditure and Investment in Education Interpretation

South Korea’s unwavering dedication to education—spending over 6.7% of GDP, with nearly all students shoring up their exam prep in private hagwons—highlights a nation where academic excellence is both a national priority and a high-stakes pursuit, raising questions about the balance between competitive rigor and equitable opportunities.

Higher Education and Enrollment

South Korea ranks 4th globally in tertiary education enrollment rate
South Korea's gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education is approximately 89%
The number of students enrolled in South Korean universities exceeds 3 million
South Korea has one of the highest rates of university graduation among OECD countries at over 80%
Approximately 60% of South Korean youth aged 25-34 have completed tertiary education
South Korea has over 370 universities and colleges
The average annual tuition fee for South Korean universities is around 4,000 USD for undergraduate programs
South Korea's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrollment accounts for over 60% of university students
South Korea hosts more than 50 internationally recognized research universities
South Korea's university entrance rate for high school graduates is close to 80%
South Korea has a rising number of coding and computer science students, now representing over 30% of university majors
The average age at which South Korean students graduate university is 23 years old
South Korea's university graduation rate in engineering disciplines exceeds 85%
Nearly 50% of Korean college graduates are employed in the tech and service sectors
The gender parity index for enrollment in higher education in South Korea is close to 1.0, indicating equal participation rates

Higher Education and Enrollment Interpretation

South Korea’s impressive tertiary education landscape, with over 89% enrollment and a STEM focus that fuels a tech-savvy workforce—where nearly half of graduates land in tech or service sectors—illustrates both a nation nurturing human capital and a competitive global player, all while maintaining high graduation rates and gender parity amid an average age of 23 at graduation.

International Students and Global Rankings

Nearly 200,000 international students are enrolled in South Korean universities
South Korea ranks 5th globally for countries with the highest number of foreign students in higher education
The percentage of Korean students who pursue higher education abroad is around 10%

International Students and Global Rankings Interpretation

South Korea’s vibrant educational landscape, with nearly 200,000 international students and a top-five global ranking, underscores the country's rising appeal as a center for higher learning—while the modest 10% of Koreans studying abroad hints at a strong domestic system eager to keep talent at home.

Student Performance and Outcomes

The average score of South Korean students in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) is 514 in reading, 517 in mathematics, and 526 in science
72% of South Korean students report high levels of academic stress
The average score of South Korean students in the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) for 8th grade is 592 in math and 571 in science
South Korea's educational achievement gap between urban and rural areas has decreased over the past decade but still exists, with urban areas outperforming rural areas by 10%
The average score of South Korean students in the 2021 PISA for reading was 511, slightly below the OECD average of 488

Student Performance and Outcomes Interpretation

South Korea’s students continue to excel in international assessments, yet the persistent academic stress and urban-rural disparities reveal that even a strong educational system faces challenges in balancing excellence with well-being.