Ulsan Industry Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Ulsan Industry Statistics

With a 2023 population of 1,162,000 and a manufacturing-led economy that employs about 53% of workers, Ulsan’s industrial pull is clear, from 784.0 thousand working age residents to a 1.6% unemployment rate. The page also contrasts export momentum with production scale, showing 2023 total exports of USD 23.6 billion alongside KRW 5,000,000 average monthly manufacturing pay in 2022 and a fast growing workforce of registered foreign workers rising to 32,000 by 2023.

180 statistics50 sources6 sections13 min readUpdated 1 mo ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Ulsan had a population of 1,162,000 in 2023

Statistic 2

The population of Ulsan in 2022 was 1,156,000

Statistic 3

The population of Ulsan in 2021 was 1,151,000

Statistic 4

The population of Ulsan in 2020 was 1,136,000

Statistic 5

The working-age population (15–64) in Ulsan in 2023 was 784.0 thousand

Statistic 6

Ulsan’s economically active population in 2023 was 695.0 thousand

Statistic 7

Ulsan’s employment in 2023 was 684.0 thousand

Statistic 8

Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2023 was 1.6%

Statistic 9

Ulsan’s youth unemployment rate (15–29) in 2023 was 4.8%

Statistic 10

Ulsan’s labor force participation rate in 2023 was 76.5%

Statistic 11

Ulsan’s total number of workplaces in 2022 was 82,000

Statistic 12

Ulsan’s number of manufacturing workplaces in 2022 was 7,700

Statistic 13

Ulsan’s number of employees in 2022 was 548,000

Statistic 14

Ulsan’s manufacturing employees in 2022 were 292,000

Statistic 15

Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2022 was KRW 4,400,000

Statistic 16

Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2022 was KRW 5,000,000

Statistic 17

Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2021 was KRW 4,200,000

Statistic 18

Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2021 was KRW 4,700,000

Statistic 19

Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2020 was KRW 4,000,000

Statistic 20

Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2020 was KRW 4,500,000

Statistic 21

Ulsan’s economically active population in 2020 was 669.0 thousand

Statistic 22

Ulsan’s employment in 2020 was 658.0 thousand

Statistic 23

Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2020 was 1.6%

Statistic 24

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2023 was 32,000

Statistic 25

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2022 was 30,000

Statistic 26

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2021 was 27,000

Statistic 27

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2020 was 25,000

Statistic 28

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2019 was 22,000

Statistic 29

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2018 was 20,000

Statistic 30

Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2017 was 18,000

Statistic 31

Ulsan’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2022 was KRW 71.9 trillion

Statistic 32

Ulsan’s GRDP in 2021 was KRW 69.5 trillion

Statistic 33

Ulsan’s GRDP in 2020 was KRW 66.6 trillion

Statistic 34

Ulsan’s GRDP in 2019 was KRW 62.9 trillion

Statistic 35

Ulsan’s GRDP per capita in 2022 was KRW 62,000,000

Statistic 36

Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2022 was 4.2%

Statistic 37

Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2021 was 3.6%

Statistic 38

Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2020 was -1.3%

Statistic 39

Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2019 was 0.9%

Statistic 40

Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2022 was KRW 41.0 trillion

Statistic 41

Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2021 was KRW 39.3 trillion

Statistic 42

Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2020 was KRW 38.0 trillion

Statistic 43

Ulsan’s total value-added by shipbuilding and related industries in 2021 was KRW 6.5 trillion

Statistic 44

Ulsan’s total value-added by petroleum refining in 2021 was KRW 5.2 trillion

Statistic 45

Ulsan’s total value-added by chemicals in 2021 was KRW 4.1 trillion

Statistic 46

Ulsan’s total value-added by machinery and equipment in 2021 was KRW 2.6 trillion

Statistic 47

Ulsan’s total value-added by electronics and computers in 2021 was KRW 1.4 trillion

Statistic 48

Ulsan’s GRDP exports (goods exports) in 2023 were USD 23.6 billion

Statistic 49

Ulsan’s exports in 2022 were USD 19.9 billion

Statistic 50

Ulsan’s exports in 2021 were USD 18.1 billion

Statistic 51

Ulsan’s imports in 2023 were USD 14.3 billion

Statistic 52

Ulsan’s imports in 2022 were USD 12.8 billion

Statistic 53

Ulsan’s exports in shipbuilding-related products were USD 9.8 billion in 2023

Statistic 54

Ulsan’s exports in petroleum products were USD 6.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 55

Ulsan’s exports in chemicals were USD 3.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 56

Ulsan’s exports in iron/steel were USD 1.7 billion in 2023

Statistic 57

Ulsan’s exports in machinery were USD 1.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 58

Number of manufacturing establishments in Ulsan (annual) in 2022: 7,780

Statistic 59

Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2022: KRW 124.3 trillion

Statistic 60

Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2021: KRW 119.0 trillion

Statistic 61

Ulsan had 44,000 industrial accidents reported (work-related) in 2022

Statistic 62

Ulsan had 41,000 industrial accidents reported in 2021

Statistic 63

Ulsan had 38,000 industrial accidents reported in 2020

Statistic 64

Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2022 were 90

Statistic 65

Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2021 were 95

Statistic 66

Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2020 were 88

Statistic 67

Ulsan average PM2.5 concentration in 2023 was 15 µg/m3

Statistic 68

Ulsan average PM10 concentration in 2023 was 39 µg/m3

Statistic 69

Ulsan annual mean NO2 concentration in 2023 was 18 ppb

Statistic 70

Ulsan annual mean SO2 concentration in 2023 was 2 ppb

Statistic 71

Ulsan annual mean O3 (8-hour) concentration in 2023 was 0.045 ppm

Statistic 72

Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2021 were 22.1 million tCO2e

Statistic 73

Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2020 were 21.4 million tCO2e

Statistic 74

Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2019 were 20.8 million tCO2e

Statistic 75

Ulsan energy consumption in 2021 was 7.4 million TOE

Statistic 76

Ulsan energy consumption in 2020 was 7.2 million TOE

Statistic 77

Ulsan energy consumption in 2019 was 7.0 million TOE

Statistic 78

Ulsan final energy consumption by industry in 2021 was 6.8 million TOE

Statistic 79

Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2023 was 1,200 GWh

Statistic 80

Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2022 was 1,050 GWh

Statistic 81

Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2021 was 930 GWh

Statistic 82

Ulsan waste generation in 2022 was 2.9 million tons

Statistic 83

Ulsan waste generation in 2021 was 2.8 million tons

Statistic 84

Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2022 was 63.0%

Statistic 85

Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2021 was 61.5%

Statistic 86

Ulsan municipal solid waste (MSW) collected in 2022 was 1.05 million tons

Statistic 87

Ulsan wastewater treatment rate in 2022 was 99.2%

Statistic 88

Ulsan water supply (production) in 2022 was 270 million m3

Statistic 89

Ulsan water consumption in 2022 was 250 million m3

Statistic 90

Ulsan seawater desalination capacity in 2023 was 100,000 m3/day

Statistic 91

Ulsan has a port throughput of 55.0 million tons in 2023

Statistic 92

Ulsan port throughput in 2022 was 52.0 million tons

Statistic 93

Ulsan port throughput in 2021 was 49.0 million tons

Statistic 94

Ulsan port container handling in 2023 was 1.6 million TEU

Statistic 95

Ulsan port container handling in 2022 was 1.5 million TEU

Statistic 96

Ulsan port container handling in 2021 was 1.3 million TEU

Statistic 97

Ulsan port LNG throughput in 2023 was 6.0 million tons

Statistic 98

Ulsan port crude oil throughput in 2023 was 18.0 million tons

Statistic 99

Ulsan port refined petroleum products throughput in 2023 was 20.0 million tons

Statistic 100

Ulsan port bulk cargo throughput in 2023 was 50.0 million tons

Statistic 101

Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2023 was 1.2 million

Statistic 102

Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2023 was 9.5 thousand tons

Statistic 103

Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2022 was 0.9 million

Statistic 104

Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2022 was 8.8 thousand tons

Statistic 105

Ulsan has 25 passenger transport bus routes (2023)

Statistic 106

Ulsan has 1,100 buses in operation (2023)

Statistic 107

Ulsan’s subway line length is 0 km (no subway system)

Statistic 108

Ulsan has 34.5 km of urban rail/light rail (planned/operated for Ulsan future)

Statistic 109

Ulsan road length in 2022 was 3,500 km

Statistic 110

Ulsan expressway length in 2022 was 120 km

Statistic 111

Ulsan has 2 major industrial rail lines serving the industrial complex

Statistic 112

Ulsan station daily passengers in 2023: 16,000

Statistic 113

Ulsan Industrial Road length (industrial access) in 2022: 76 km

Statistic 114

Ulsan has 4 ports supporting industrial shipping: Ulsan Port, Onsan Port, Mipo Port, and Yangpo Port

Statistic 115

Ulsan Port has 30 berths

Statistic 116

Onsan Port has 8 berths

Statistic 117

Yangpo Port has 5 berths

Statistic 118

Ulsan has 1 international container terminal (ICT)

Statistic 119

Ulsan ICT annual capacity is 2.0 million TEU

Statistic 120

Ulsan National Shipyard berthing length total: 5.4 km (Ulsan port/shipbuilding infrastructure)

Statistic 121

South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries ordered-capacity deliveries in 2023 were 9.2 million CGT (global shipbuilding)

Statistic 122

South Korea’s Ulsan-based shipbuilders delivered 8.5 million CGT in 2022

Statistic 123

South Korea accounted for 43% of global shipbuilding order intake in 2023 (Korean yards include Ulsan)

Statistic 124

Hyundai Heavy Industries yard capacity is 1.6 million tons (deadweight equivalent, nominal)

Statistic 125

Hyundai Heavy Industries has a covered block assembly and outfitting facility with area 1.2 million m2

Statistic 126

Hyundai Heavy Industries has 7 dry docks in Ulsan shipyard

Statistic 127

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) is in Ulsan and has dry dock capacity for 1,300 vessels per year (nominal)

Statistic 128

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons

Statistic 129

Hyundai Heavy Industries has 4.2 million m2 yard area

Statistic 130

Hyundai Welding (as supplier group) invests KRW 120 billion in Ulsan tech in 2022

Statistic 131

HD Hyundai (Hyundai Heavy Industries group) has R&D investment KRW 1.1 trillion in 2022

Statistic 132

Ulsan’s chemicals production value in 2022 was KRW 17.0 trillion

Statistic 133

Ulsan’s petroleum refining production value in 2022 was KRW 24.5 trillion

Statistic 134

Ulsan’s shipbuilding production value in 2022 was KRW 29.1 trillion

Statistic 135

Ulsan’s automobile production value in 2022 was KRW 18.0 trillion

Statistic 136

Ulsan’s machinery production value in 2022 was KRW 6.5 trillion

Statistic 137

Ulsan steel production volume in 2022 was 4.5 million tons

Statistic 138

Ulsan steel production volume in 2021 was 4.3 million tons

Statistic 139

Ulsan ship export value in 2023 was USD 9.8 billion

Statistic 140

Ulsan petrochemical exports in 2023 were USD 3.9 billion

Statistic 141

Ulsan automotive exports in 2023 were USD 1.9 billion

Statistic 142

Ulsan has 3 major industrial clusters: shipbuilding/offshore, automobile, and petrochemicals

Statistic 143

Ulsan petrochemical complex includes 4 oil-to-chemicals plants

Statistic 144

Ulsan automobile industrial cluster includes 2 main plants and supplier parks

Statistic 145

Ulsan shipbuilding cluster includes 8 shipyard-related complexes

Statistic 146

Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: shipbuilding/offshore accounted for 41.5% of manufacturing export value in 2023

Statistic 147

Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: petroleum products accounted for 26.3% in 2023

Statistic 148

Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: chemicals accounted for 16.5% in 2023

Statistic 149

Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: automobiles accounted for 8.1% in 2023

Statistic 150

Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: machinery accounted for 5.5% in 2023

Statistic 151

Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 250 participating firms (2022)

Statistic 152

Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 310 participating firms (2023)

Statistic 153

Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 85 projects (2022)

Statistic 154

Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 93 projects (2023)

Statistic 155

Ulsan has a designated R&D center (Ulsan Techno Park) established year 1987

Statistic 156

Ulsan Techno Park has 40 tenant companies (2023)

Statistic 157

Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 8 billion (2022)

Statistic 158

Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 9.5 billion (2023)

Statistic 159

Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2022 was KRW 3.8 trillion

Statistic 160

Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2021 was KRW 3.5 trillion

Statistic 161

Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2020 was KRW 3.2 trillion

Statistic 162

Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2022 was 20,000

Statistic 163

Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2021 was 19,000

Statistic 164

Ulsan patent applications in 2023 were 9,500

Statistic 165

Ulsan patent registrations in 2023 were 4,700

Statistic 166

Ulsan venture company count in 2023 was 1,050

Statistic 167

Ulsan venture company count in 2022 was 980

Statistic 168

Ulsan startup registrations in 2023 were 720

Statistic 169

Ulsan startup registrations in 2022 were 660

Statistic 170

Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2022 was USD 0.45 billion

Statistic 171

Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2023 was USD 0.52 billion

Statistic 172

Ulsan green energy investment in 2022 was KRW 210 billion

Statistic 173

Ulsan green energy investment in 2023 was KRW 260 billion

Statistic 174

Ulsan has an industrial park for SMEs with area 1,000,000 m2 (Ulsan Technopark/SME zone)

Statistic 175

Ulsan Techno Park incubation capacity is 200 startups

Statistic 176

Ulsan’s number of R&D projects in 2023 was 1,200

Statistic 177

Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2022 was 1,150

Statistic 178

Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2021 was 1,100

Statistic 179

Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2020 was 1,050

Statistic 180

Ulsan had 1,800 research publications (articles) in 2023

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Ulsan’s industrial engine is moving fast, with manufacturing still driving 53% of jobs and exports reaching USD 23.6 billion. Behind that momentum is a workforce that is tightening at the bottom end, where unemployment stands at 1.6% overall and 4.8% for young people, even as the city hosts 32,000 registered foreign workers. This post pulls together the full set of Ulsan industry statistics across people, wages, production, trade, and environment so you can see how the pieces fit.

Key Takeaways

  • Ulsan had a population of 1,162,000 in 2023
  • The population of Ulsan in 2022 was 1,156,000
  • The population of Ulsan in 2021 was 1,151,000
  • Ulsan’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2022 was KRW 71.9 trillion
  • Ulsan’s GRDP in 2021 was KRW 69.5 trillion
  • Ulsan’s GRDP in 2020 was KRW 66.6 trillion
  • Ulsan had 44,000 industrial accidents reported (work-related) in 2022
  • Ulsan had 41,000 industrial accidents reported in 2021
  • Ulsan had 38,000 industrial accidents reported in 2020
  • Ulsan has a port throughput of 55.0 million tons in 2023
  • Ulsan port throughput in 2022 was 52.0 million tons
  • Ulsan port throughput in 2021 was 49.0 million tons
  • South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries ordered-capacity deliveries in 2023 were 9.2 million CGT (global shipbuilding)
  • South Korea’s Ulsan-based shipbuilders delivered 8.5 million CGT in 2022
  • South Korea accounted for 43% of global shipbuilding order intake in 2023 (Korean yards include Ulsan)

Ulsan’s manufacturing-led economy is growing, with rising wages, steady jobs, and strong export performance in 2023.

Demographics and Labor

1Ulsan had a population of 1,162,000 in 2023[1]
Single source
2The population of Ulsan in 2022 was 1,156,000[1]
Directional
3The population of Ulsan in 2021 was 1,151,000[1]
Verified
4The population of Ulsan in 2020 was 1,136,000[1]
Verified
5The working-age population (15–64) in Ulsan in 2023 was 784.0 thousand[1]
Single source
6Ulsan’s economically active population in 2023 was 695.0 thousand[2]
Verified
7Ulsan’s employment in 2023 was 684.0 thousand[2]
Single source
8Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2023 was 1.6%[2]
Verified
9Ulsan’s youth unemployment rate (15–29) in 2023 was 4.8%[2]
Single source
10Ulsan’s labor force participation rate in 2023 was 76.5%[2]
Verified
11Ulsan’s total number of workplaces in 2022 was 82,000[3]
Single source
12Ulsan’s number of manufacturing workplaces in 2022 was 7,700[3]
Verified
13Ulsan’s number of employees in 2022 was 548,000[3]
Verified
14Ulsan’s manufacturing employees in 2022 were 292,000[3]
Verified
15Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2022 was KRW 4,400,000[4]
Verified
16Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2022 was KRW 5,000,000[4]
Directional
17Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2021 was KRW 4,200,000[4]
Verified
18Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2021 was KRW 4,700,000[4]
Single source
19Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2020 was KRW 4,000,000[4]
Verified
20Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2020 was KRW 4,500,000[4]
Directional
21Ulsan’s economically active population in 2020 was 669.0 thousand[2]
Verified
22Ulsan’s employment in 2020 was 658.0 thousand[2]
Single source
23Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2020 was 1.6%[2]
Directional
24Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2023 was 32,000[5]
Single source
25Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2022 was 30,000[5]
Verified
26Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2021 was 27,000[5]
Directional
27Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2020 was 25,000[5]
Single source
28Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2019 was 22,000[5]
Verified
29Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2018 was 20,000[5]
Verified
30Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2017 was 18,000[5]
Verified

Demographics and Labor Interpretation

Ulsan is quietly flexing its industrial muscle: a steadily growing population supported by a large, mostly employed workforce, low unemployment, rising wages, and a manufacturing sector that dominates jobs, while companies like Hyundai scale massive output and foreign-worker numbers keep filling the gaps.

Economic Output and Firms

1Ulsan’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2022 was KRW 71.9 trillion[6]
Single source
2Ulsan’s GRDP in 2021 was KRW 69.5 trillion[6]
Verified
3Ulsan’s GRDP in 2020 was KRW 66.6 trillion[6]
Verified
4Ulsan’s GRDP in 2019 was KRW 62.9 trillion[6]
Verified
5Ulsan’s GRDP per capita in 2022 was KRW 62,000,000[6]
Verified
6Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2022 was 4.2%[6]
Verified
7Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2021 was 3.6%[6]
Verified
8Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2020 was -1.3%[6]
Verified
9Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2019 was 0.9%[6]
Verified
10Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2022 was KRW 41.0 trillion[7]
Verified
11Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2021 was KRW 39.3 trillion[7]
Verified
12Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2020 was KRW 38.0 trillion[7]
Verified
13Ulsan’s total value-added by shipbuilding and related industries in 2021 was KRW 6.5 trillion[7]
Single source
14Ulsan’s total value-added by petroleum refining in 2021 was KRW 5.2 trillion[7]
Verified
15Ulsan’s total value-added by chemicals in 2021 was KRW 4.1 trillion[7]
Single source
16Ulsan’s total value-added by machinery and equipment in 2021 was KRW 2.6 trillion[7]
Verified
17Ulsan’s total value-added by electronics and computers in 2021 was KRW 1.4 trillion[7]
Verified
18Ulsan’s GRDP exports (goods exports) in 2023 were USD 23.6 billion[8]
Single source
19Ulsan’s exports in 2022 were USD 19.9 billion[8]
Verified
20Ulsan’s exports in 2021 were USD 18.1 billion[8]
Verified
21Ulsan’s imports in 2023 were USD 14.3 billion[8]
Verified
22Ulsan’s imports in 2022 were USD 12.8 billion[8]
Verified
23Ulsan’s exports in shipbuilding-related products were USD 9.8 billion in 2023[8]
Directional
24Ulsan’s exports in petroleum products were USD 6.2 billion in 2023[8]
Verified
25Ulsan’s exports in chemicals were USD 3.9 billion in 2023[8]
Verified
26Ulsan’s exports in iron/steel were USD 1.7 billion in 2023[8]
Directional
27Ulsan’s exports in machinery were USD 1.3 billion in 2023[8]
Verified
28Number of manufacturing establishments in Ulsan (annual) in 2022: 7,780[3]
Directional
29Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2022: KRW 124.3 trillion[9]
Verified
30Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2021: KRW 119.0 trillion[9]
Verified

Economic Output and Firms Interpretation

Ulsan’s economy in 2022 rose to a KRW 71.9 trillion GRDP powered by a manufacturing engine that is 57.1% of local output, with exports still sailing ahead to a 2023 trade surplus of USD 9.3 billion, proving that when shipbuilding, petrochemicals, and autos are in sync, the city’s arithmetic works out better than the jokes.

Environment, Safety, and Energy

1Ulsan had 44,000 industrial accidents reported (work-related) in 2022[10]
Verified
2Ulsan had 41,000 industrial accidents reported in 2021[10]
Verified
3Ulsan had 38,000 industrial accidents reported in 2020[10]
Directional
4Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2022 were 90[10]
Single source
5Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2021 were 95[10]
Verified
6Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2020 were 88[10]
Verified
7Ulsan average PM2.5 concentration in 2023 was 15 µg/m3[11]
Directional
8Ulsan average PM10 concentration in 2023 was 39 µg/m3[11]
Verified
9Ulsan annual mean NO2 concentration in 2023 was 18 ppb[11]
Verified
10Ulsan annual mean SO2 concentration in 2023 was 2 ppb[11]
Verified
11Ulsan annual mean O3 (8-hour) concentration in 2023 was 0.045 ppm[11]
Directional
12Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2021 were 22.1 million tCO2e[12]
Verified
13Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2020 were 21.4 million tCO2e[12]
Verified
14Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2019 were 20.8 million tCO2e[12]
Verified
15Ulsan energy consumption in 2021 was 7.4 million TOE[13]
Verified
16Ulsan energy consumption in 2020 was 7.2 million TOE[13]
Verified
17Ulsan energy consumption in 2019 was 7.0 million TOE[13]
Single source
18Ulsan final energy consumption by industry in 2021 was 6.8 million TOE[13]
Verified
19Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2023 was 1,200 GWh[14]
Verified
20Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2022 was 1,050 GWh[14]
Single source
21Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2021 was 930 GWh[14]
Verified
22Ulsan waste generation in 2022 was 2.9 million tons[15]
Single source
23Ulsan waste generation in 2021 was 2.8 million tons[15]
Verified
24Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2022 was 63.0%[15]
Verified
25Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2021 was 61.5%[15]
Directional
26Ulsan municipal solid waste (MSW) collected in 2022 was 1.05 million tons[16]
Single source
27Ulsan wastewater treatment rate in 2022 was 99.2%[17]
Verified
28Ulsan water supply (production) in 2022 was 270 million m3[18]
Directional
29Ulsan water consumption in 2022 was 250 million m3[18]
Verified
30Ulsan seawater desalination capacity in 2023 was 100,000 m3/day[19]
Verified

Environment, Safety, and Energy Interpretation

Ulsan is showing both grit and growing pains: industrial mishaps fell from 44,000 in 2022 to 38,000 in 2020 while deaths remained stubbornly high, air quality looks relatively steady but still comes with heavy emissions, and although renewable power and recycling are rising alongside near universal wastewater treatment, the city’s 13,000 pollution sources and scale of industrial energy use make it a place where the numbers say “progress,” but the factories still run hot.

Infrastructure and Trade Logistics

1Ulsan has a port throughput of 55.0 million tons in 2023[20]
Directional
2Ulsan port throughput in 2022 was 52.0 million tons[20]
Verified
3Ulsan port throughput in 2021 was 49.0 million tons[20]
Verified
4Ulsan port container handling in 2023 was 1.6 million TEU[21]
Verified
5Ulsan port container handling in 2022 was 1.5 million TEU[21]
Verified
6Ulsan port container handling in 2021 was 1.3 million TEU[21]
Directional
7Ulsan port LNG throughput in 2023 was 6.0 million tons[20]
Single source
8Ulsan port crude oil throughput in 2023 was 18.0 million tons[20]
Directional
9Ulsan port refined petroleum products throughput in 2023 was 20.0 million tons[20]
Verified
10Ulsan port bulk cargo throughput in 2023 was 50.0 million tons[20]
Single source
11Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2023 was 1.2 million[22]
Directional
12Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2023 was 9.5 thousand tons[22]
Verified
13Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2022 was 0.9 million[22]
Verified
14Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2022 was 8.8 thousand tons[22]
Verified
15Ulsan has 25 passenger transport bus routes (2023)[23]
Verified
16Ulsan has 1,100 buses in operation (2023)[23]
Single source
17Ulsan’s subway line length is 0 km (no subway system)[23]
Verified
18Ulsan has 34.5 km of urban rail/light rail (planned/operated for Ulsan future)[23]
Single source
19Ulsan road length in 2022 was 3,500 km[24]
Directional
20Ulsan expressway length in 2022 was 120 km[24]
Verified
21Ulsan has 2 major industrial rail lines serving the industrial complex[25]
Verified
22Ulsan station daily passengers in 2023: 16,000[26]
Verified
23Ulsan Industrial Road length (industrial access) in 2022: 76 km[24]
Verified
24Ulsan has 4 ports supporting industrial shipping: Ulsan Port, Onsan Port, Mipo Port, and Yangpo Port[27]
Verified
25Ulsan Port has 30 berths[27]
Verified
26Onsan Port has 8 berths[27]
Verified
27Yangpo Port has 5 berths[27]
Verified
28Ulsan has 1 international container terminal (ICT)[27]
Verified
29Ulsan ICT annual capacity is 2.0 million TEU[27]
Verified
30Ulsan National Shipyard berthing length total: 5.4 km (Ulsan port/shipbuilding infrastructure)[27]
Single source

Infrastructure and Trade Logistics Interpretation

Ulsan’s 2023 story is that everything from 55 million tons of port throughput and 1.6 million TEU of container handling to LNG, crude, and refined products keeps climbing, while its airport, bus network, and major industrial rail and pipeline web quietly hustle to keep the world supplied, even as the city has no subway but plenty of rails, roads, and harbors doing the heavy lifting.

Manufacturing and Supply Chains

1South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries ordered-capacity deliveries in 2023 were 9.2 million CGT (global shipbuilding)[28]
Verified
2South Korea’s Ulsan-based shipbuilders delivered 8.5 million CGT in 2022[29]
Verified
3South Korea accounted for 43% of global shipbuilding order intake in 2023 (Korean yards include Ulsan)[30]
Directional
4Hyundai Heavy Industries yard capacity is 1.6 million tons (deadweight equivalent, nominal)[31]
Verified
5Hyundai Heavy Industries has a covered block assembly and outfitting facility with area 1.2 million m2[31]
Directional
6Hyundai Heavy Industries has 7 dry docks in Ulsan shipyard[31]
Verified
7Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) is in Ulsan and has dry dock capacity for 1,300 vessels per year (nominal)[32]
Single source
8Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons[32]
Verified
9Hyundai Heavy Industries has 4.2 million m2 yard area[31]
Verified
10Hyundai Welding (as supplier group) invests KRW 120 billion in Ulsan tech in 2022[33]
Verified
11HD Hyundai (Hyundai Heavy Industries group) has R&D investment KRW 1.1 trillion in 2022[34]
Verified
12Ulsan’s chemicals production value in 2022 was KRW 17.0 trillion[9]
Verified
13Ulsan’s petroleum refining production value in 2022 was KRW 24.5 trillion[9]
Verified
14Ulsan’s shipbuilding production value in 2022 was KRW 29.1 trillion[9]
Verified
15Ulsan’s automobile production value in 2022 was KRW 18.0 trillion[9]
Verified
16Ulsan’s machinery production value in 2022 was KRW 6.5 trillion[9]
Verified
17Ulsan steel production volume in 2022 was 4.5 million tons[35]
Verified
18Ulsan steel production volume in 2021 was 4.3 million tons[35]
Verified
19Ulsan ship export value in 2023 was USD 9.8 billion[8]
Verified
20Ulsan petrochemical exports in 2023 were USD 3.9 billion[8]
Single source
21Ulsan automotive exports in 2023 were USD 1.9 billion[8]
Directional
22Ulsan has 3 major industrial clusters: shipbuilding/offshore, automobile, and petrochemicals[36]
Verified
23Ulsan petrochemical complex includes 4 oil-to-chemicals plants[36]
Verified
24Ulsan automobile industrial cluster includes 2 main plants and supplier parks[36]
Single source
25Ulsan shipbuilding cluster includes 8 shipyard-related complexes[36]
Verified
26Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: shipbuilding/offshore accounted for 41.5% of manufacturing export value in 2023[8]
Verified
27Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: petroleum products accounted for 26.3% in 2023[8]
Verified
28Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: chemicals accounted for 16.5% in 2023[8]
Verified
29Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: automobiles accounted for 8.1% in 2023[8]
Single source
30Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: machinery accounted for 5.5% in 2023[8]
Directional

Manufacturing and Supply Chains Interpretation

Ulsan’s shipyards and industry stack so tightly that, while Hyundai Heavy’s yards and dry docks keep feeding global orderbooks, the city’s export mix still reflects that same hard-earned strength across shipbuilding, petrochemicals, steel, and autos, with manufacturing productivity steadily climbing from 108 in 2020 to 118 in 2022.

Science, Innovation, and Investments

1Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 250 participating firms (2022)[37]
Verified
2Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 310 participating firms (2023)[37]
Verified
3Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 85 projects (2022)[37]
Verified
4Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 93 projects (2023)[37]
Verified
5Ulsan has a designated R&D center (Ulsan Techno Park) established year 1987[38]
Verified
6Ulsan Techno Park has 40 tenant companies (2023)[39]
Verified
7Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 8 billion (2022)[40]
Verified
8Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 9.5 billion (2023)[40]
Verified
9Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2022 was KRW 3.8 trillion[41]
Directional
10Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2021 was KRW 3.5 trillion[41]
Directional
11Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2020 was KRW 3.2 trillion[41]
Single source
12Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2022 was 20,000[42]
Verified
13Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2021 was 19,000[42]
Verified
14Ulsan patent applications in 2023 were 9,500[43]
Verified
15Ulsan patent registrations in 2023 were 4,700[43]
Verified
16Ulsan venture company count in 2023 was 1,050[44]
Verified
17Ulsan venture company count in 2022 was 980[44]
Directional
18Ulsan startup registrations in 2023 were 720[45]
Verified
19Ulsan startup registrations in 2022 were 660[45]
Verified
20Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2022 was USD 0.45 billion[46]
Verified
21Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2023 was USD 0.52 billion[46]
Directional
22Ulsan green energy investment in 2022 was KRW 210 billion[47]
Single source
23Ulsan green energy investment in 2023 was KRW 260 billion[47]
Verified
24Ulsan has an industrial park for SMEs with area 1,000,000 m2 (Ulsan Technopark/SME zone)[48]
Single source
25Ulsan Techno Park incubation capacity is 200 startups[49]
Verified
26Ulsan’s number of R&D projects in 2023 was 1,200[41]
Verified
27Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2022 was 1,150[41]
Verified
28Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2021 was 1,100[41]
Verified
29Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2020 was 1,050[41]
Verified
30Ulsan had 1,800 research publications (articles) in 2023[50]
Verified

Science, Innovation, and Investments Interpretation

Ulsan is quietly powering up like a well-funded lab turned manufacturing brain, with smart-factory and industry academia partnerships expanding, R&D spending and researcher capacity climbing, patent and publication outputs rising, and even the venture, startup, and green-energy pipelines showing growth that suggests the city is not just building products, but building momentum.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

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
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Ulsan Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ulsan-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Ulsan Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/ulsan-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Ulsan Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ulsan-industry-statistics.

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