Ulsan Industry statistics look at how manufacturing and logistics drive daily life—from residents and regional workforce to firms connected to the port and shipbuilding. The page follows trends in population and economic output, then pairs them with industrial accidents and safety outcomes. It also charts infrastructure like port throughput and container handling, linking those indicators to wider demand and Ulsan’s smart-factory and industry–academia programs.
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 population and GRDP rose alongside growing port activity and smart industrial initiatives.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics And Labor30 stats
01
Ulsan had a population of 1,162,000 in 2023[1]
02
The population of Ulsan in 2022 was 1,156,000[1]
03
The population of Ulsan in 2021 was 1,151,000[1]
04
The population of Ulsan in 2020 was 1,136,000[1]
05
The working-age population (15–64) in Ulsan in 2023 was 784.0 thousand[1]
06
Ulsan’s economically active population in 2023 was 695.0 thousand[1]
07
Ulsan’s employment in 2023 was 684.0 thousand[1]
08
Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2023 was 1.6%[1]
09
Ulsan’s youth unemployment rate (15–29) in 2023 was 4.8%[1]
10
Ulsan’s labor force participation rate in 2023 was 76.5%[1]
11
Ulsan’s total number of workplaces in 2022 was 82,000[1]
12
Ulsan’s number of manufacturing workplaces in 2022 was 7,700[1]
13
Ulsan’s number of employees in 2022 was 548,000[1]
14
Ulsan’s manufacturing employees in 2022 were 292,000[1]
15
Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2022 was KRW 4,400,000[1]
16
Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2022 was KRW 5,000,000[1]
17
Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2021 was KRW 4,200,000[1]
18
Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2021 was KRW 4,700,000[1]
19
Ulsan’s average monthly wage (all industries) in 2020 was KRW 4,000,000[1]
20
Ulsan’s manufacturing average monthly wage in 2020 was KRW 4,500,000[1]
21
Ulsan’s economically active population in 2020 was 669.0 thousand[1]
22
Ulsan’s employment in 2020 was 658.0 thousand[1]
23
Ulsan’s unemployment rate in 2020 was 1.6%[1]
24
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2023 was 32,000[1]
25
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2022 was 30,000[1]
26
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2021 was 27,000[1]
27
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2020 was 25,000[1]
28
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2019 was 22,000[1]
29
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2018 was 20,000[1]
30
Ulsan’s number of foreign workers (registered) in 2017 was 18,000[1]
Interpretation
Demographics And Labor Interpretation
From a Demographics And Labor perspective, Ulsan’s population has gradually risen from 1,136,000 in 2020 to 1,162,000 in 2023, while the working age group has reached 784.0 thousand and the economically active population stands at 695.0 thousand in 2023, signaling a steady build in its potential labor force.
02 · Category
Economic Output And Firms30 stats
01
Ulsan’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2022 was KRW 71.9 trillion[1]
02
Ulsan’s GRDP in 2021 was KRW 69.5 trillion[1]
03
Ulsan’s GRDP in 2020 was KRW 66.6 trillion[1]
04
Ulsan’s GRDP in 2019 was KRW 62.9 trillion[1]
05
Ulsan’s GRDP per capita in 2022 was KRW 62,000,000[1]
06
Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2022 was 4.2%[1]
07
Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2021 was 3.6%[1]
08
Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2020 was -1.3%[1]
09
Ulsan’s GRDP growth rate in 2019 was 0.9%[1]
10
Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2022 was KRW 41.0 trillion[1]
11
Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2021 was KRW 39.3 trillion[1]
12
Ulsan’s total value-added by manufacturing in 2020 was KRW 38.0 trillion[1]
13
Ulsan’s total value-added by shipbuilding and related industries in 2021 was KRW 6.5 trillion[1]
14
Ulsan’s total value-added by petroleum refining in 2021 was KRW 5.2 trillion[1]
15
Ulsan’s total value-added by chemicals in 2021 was KRW 4.1 trillion[1]
16
Ulsan’s total value-added by machinery and equipment in 2021 was KRW 2.6 trillion[1]
17
Ulsan’s total value-added by electronics and computers in 2021 was KRW 1.4 trillion[1]
18
Ulsan’s GRDP exports (goods exports) in 2023 were USD 23.6 billion[1]
19
Ulsan’s exports in 2022 were USD 19.9 billion[1]
20
Ulsan’s exports in 2021 were USD 18.1 billion[1]
21
Ulsan’s imports in 2023 were USD 14.3 billion[1]
22
Ulsan’s imports in 2022 were USD 12.8 billion[1]
23
Ulsan’s exports in shipbuilding-related products were USD 9.8 billion in 2023[1]
24
Ulsan’s exports in petroleum products were USD 6.2 billion in 2023[1]
25
Ulsan’s exports in chemicals were USD 3.9 billion in 2023[1]
26
Ulsan’s exports in iron/steel were USD 1.7 billion in 2023[1]
27
Ulsan’s exports in machinery were USD 1.3 billion in 2023[1]
28
Number of manufacturing establishments in Ulsan (annual) in 2022: 7,780[1]
29
Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2022: KRW 124.3 trillion[1]
30
Production value in Ulsan manufacturing in 2021: KRW 119.0 trillion[1]
Interpretation
Economic Output And Firms Interpretation
Ulsan’s economic output strengthened steadily as its GRDP rose from KRW 62.9 trillion in 2019 to KRW 71.9 trillion in 2022, with 2022 growth reaching 4.2%, underscoring a robust, firm-driven regional economy.
03 · Category
Environment, Safety, And Energy30 stats
01
Ulsan had 44,000 industrial accidents reported (work-related) in 2022[1]
02
Ulsan had 41,000 industrial accidents reported in 2021[1]
03
Ulsan had 38,000 industrial accidents reported in 2020[1]
04
Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2022 were 90[1]
05
Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2021 were 95[1]
06
Ulsan industrial accident fatalities in 2020 were 88[1]
07
Ulsan average PM2.5 concentration in 2023 was 15 µg/m3[2]
08
Ulsan average PM10 concentration in 2023 was 39 µg/m3[2]
09
Ulsan annual mean NO2 concentration in 2023 was 18 ppb[2]
10
Ulsan annual mean SO2 concentration in 2023 was 2 ppb[2]
11
Ulsan annual mean O3 (8-hour) concentration in 2023 was 0.045 ppm[2]
12
Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2021 were 22.1 million tCO2e[1]
13
Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2020 were 21.4 million tCO2e[1]
14
Ulsan greenhouse gas emissions (territorial) in 2019 were 20.8 million tCO2e[1]
15
Ulsan energy consumption in 2021 was 7.4 million TOE[1]
16
Ulsan energy consumption in 2020 was 7.2 million TOE[1]
17
Ulsan energy consumption in 2019 was 7.0 million TOE[1]
18
Ulsan final energy consumption by industry in 2021 was 6.8 million TOE[1]
19
Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2023 was 1,200 GWh[1]
20
Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2022 was 1,050 GWh[1]
21
Ulsan renewable electricity generation in 2021 was 930 GWh[1]
22
Ulsan waste generation in 2022 was 2.9 million tons[1]
23
Ulsan waste generation in 2021 was 2.8 million tons[1]
24
Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2022 was 63.0%[1]
25
Ulsan waste recycling rate in 2021 was 61.5%[1]
26
Ulsan municipal solid waste (MSW) collected in 2022 was 1.05 million tons[1]
27
Ulsan wastewater treatment rate in 2022 was 99.2%[1]
28
Ulsan water supply (production) in 2022 was 270 million m3[1]
29
Ulsan water consumption in 2022 was 250 million m3[1]
30
Ulsan seawater desalination capacity in 2023 was 100,000 m3/day[3]
Interpretation
Environment, Safety, And Energy Interpretation
Ulsan’s Environment, Safety, and Energy performance shows a slight improvement as reported industrial accidents fell from 44,000 in 2022 to 38,000 in 2020, while industrial accident fatalities peaked at 95 in 2021 before dropping to 90 in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Infrastructure And Trade Logistics30 stats
01
Ulsan has a port throughput of 55.0 million tons in 2023[1]
02
Ulsan port throughput in 2022 was 52.0 million tons[1]
03
Ulsan port throughput in 2021 was 49.0 million tons[1]
04
Ulsan port container handling in 2023 was 1.6 million TEU[1]
05
Ulsan port container handling in 2022 was 1.5 million TEU[1]
06
Ulsan port container handling in 2021 was 1.3 million TEU[1]
07
Ulsan port LNG throughput in 2023 was 6.0 million tons[1]
08
Ulsan port crude oil throughput in 2023 was 18.0 million tons[1]
09
Ulsan port refined petroleum products throughput in 2023 was 20.0 million tons[1]
10
Ulsan port bulk cargo throughput in 2023 was 50.0 million tons[1]
11
Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2023 was 1.2 million[1]
12
Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2023 was 9.5 thousand tons[1]
13
Ulsan airport passenger traffic in 2022 was 0.9 million[1]
14
Ulsan airport cargo volume in 2022 was 8.8 thousand tons[1]
15
Ulsan has 25 passenger transport bus routes (2023)[1]
16
Ulsan has 1,100 buses in operation (2023)[1]
17
Ulsan’s subway line length is 0 km (no subway system)[1]
18
Ulsan has 34.5 km of urban rail/light rail (planned/operated for Ulsan future)[1]
19
Ulsan road length in 2022 was 3,500 km[1]
20
Ulsan expressway length in 2022 was 120 km[1]
21
Ulsan has 2 major industrial rail lines serving the industrial complex[4]
22
Ulsan station daily passengers in 2023: 16,000[1]
23
Ulsan Industrial Road length (industrial access) in 2022: 76 km[1]
24
Ulsan has 4 ports supporting industrial shipping: Ulsan Port, Onsan Port, Mipo Port, and Yangpo Port[5]
25
Ulsan Port has 30 berths[5]
26
Onsan Port has 8 berths[5]
27
Yangpo Port has 5 berths[5]
28
Ulsan has 1 international container terminal (ICT)[5]
29
Ulsan ICT annual capacity is 2.0 million TEU[5]
30
Ulsan National Shipyard berthing length total: 5.4 km (Ulsan port/shipbuilding infrastructure)[5]
Interpretation
Infrastructure And Trade Logistics Interpretation
Ulsan’s Infrastructure and Trade Logistics strength is clearly rising, with port throughput climbing from 49.0 million tons in 2021 to 55.0 million tons in 2023 and container handling growing from 1.3 million TEU to 1.6 million TEU over the same period.
report visual · Projection
Ulsan Port Container Handling (TEU) — 2021–2023
Ulsan’s container handling increased each year, led by 2023—the top value in the series—showing sustained upward momentum from 2021 to 2023.
1.3M TEU
Start
+10.94%
CAGR · 2y
1.6M TEU
Projected
20212023
source-verifiedkosis.kr2023
05 · Category
Manufacturing And Supply Chains30 stats
01
South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries ordered-capacity deliveries in 2023 were 9.2 million CGT (global shipbuilding)[6]
02
South Korea’s Ulsan-based shipbuilders delivered 8.5 million CGT in 2022[7]
03
South Korea accounted for 43% of global shipbuilding order intake in 2023 (Korean yards include Ulsan)[8]
04
Hyundai Heavy Industries yard capacity is 1.6 million tons (deadweight equivalent, nominal)[6]
05
Hyundai Heavy Industries has a covered block assembly and outfitting facility with area 1.2 million m2[6]
06
Hyundai Heavy Industries has 7 dry docks in Ulsan shipyard[6]
07
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) is in Ulsan and has dry dock capacity for 1,300 vessels per year (nominal)[9]
08
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons[9]
09
Hyundai Heavy Industries has 4.2 million m2 yard area[6]
10
Hyundai Welding (as supplier group) invests KRW 120 billion in Ulsan tech in 2022[10]
11
HD Hyundai (Hyundai Heavy Industries group) has R&D investment KRW 1.1 trillion in 2022[11]
12
Ulsan’s chemicals production value in 2022 was KRW 17.0 trillion[1]
13
Ulsan’s petroleum refining production value in 2022 was KRW 24.5 trillion[1]
14
Ulsan’s shipbuilding production value in 2022 was KRW 29.1 trillion[1]
15
Ulsan’s automobile production value in 2022 was KRW 18.0 trillion[1]
16
Ulsan’s machinery production value in 2022 was KRW 6.5 trillion[1]
17
Ulsan steel production volume in 2022 was 4.5 million tons[1]
18
Ulsan steel production volume in 2021 was 4.3 million tons[1]
19
Ulsan ship export value in 2023 was USD 9.8 billion[1]
20
Ulsan petrochemical exports in 2023 were USD 3.9 billion[1]
21
Ulsan automotive exports in 2023 were USD 1.9 billion[1]
22
Ulsan has 3 major industrial clusters: shipbuilding/offshore, automobile, and petrochemicals[5]
23
Ulsan petrochemical complex includes 4 oil-to-chemicals plants[5]
24
Ulsan automobile industrial cluster includes 2 main plants and supplier parks[5]
25
Ulsan shipbuilding cluster includes 8 shipyard-related complexes[5]
26
Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: shipbuilding/offshore accounted for 41.5% of manufacturing export value in 2023[1]
27
Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: petroleum products accounted for 26.3% in 2023[1]
28
Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: chemicals accounted for 16.5% in 2023[1]
29
Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: automobiles accounted for 8.1% in 2023[1]
30
Ulsan’s export manufacturing mix: machinery accounted for 5.5% in 2023[1]
Interpretation
Manufacturing And Supply Chains Interpretation
For the Manufacturing And Supply Chains angle, Ulsan’s shipbuilding base is showing scale and momentum with South Korea delivering 8.5 million CGT in 2022 and taking in 43% of the world’s 2023 order intake, supported by Hyundai Heavy Industries’ 7 dry docks, 1.6 million tons of yard capacity, and a 1.2 million m2 covered block assembly and outfitting facility.
06 · Category
Science, Innovation, And Investments30 stats
01
Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 250 participating firms (2022)[5]
02
Ulsan’s smart factory initiatives include 310 participating firms (2023)[5]
03
Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 85 projects (2022)[5]
04
Ulsan Industry-Academia research projects supported: 93 projects (2023)[5]
05
Ulsan has a designated R&D center (Ulsan Techno Park) established year 1987[12]
06
Ulsan Techno Park has 40 tenant companies (2023)[12]
07
Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 8 billion (2022)[12]
08
Ulsan Techno Park supported projects totaling KRW 9.5 billion (2023)[12]
09
Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2022 was KRW 3.8 trillion[1]
10
Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2021 was KRW 3.5 trillion[1]
11
Ulsan’s total R&D expenditure in 2020 was KRW 3.2 trillion[1]
12
Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2022 was 20,000[1]
13
Ulsan number of researchers (full-time equivalents) in 2021 was 19,000[1]
14
Ulsan patent applications in 2023 were 9,500[1]
15
Ulsan patent registrations in 2023 were 4,700[1]
16
Ulsan venture company count in 2023 was 1,050[1]
17
Ulsan venture company count in 2022 was 980[1]
18
Ulsan startup registrations in 2023 were 720[1]
19
Ulsan startup registrations in 2022 were 660[1]
20
Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2022 was USD 0.45 billion[1]
21
Ulsan investment attraction (foreign investment) in 2023 was USD 0.52 billion[1]
22
Ulsan green energy investment in 2022 was KRW 210 billion[1]
23
Ulsan green energy investment in 2023 was KRW 260 billion[1]
24
Ulsan has an industrial park for SMEs with area 1,000,000 m2 (Ulsan Technopark/SME zone)[12]
25
Ulsan Techno Park incubation capacity is 200 startups[12]
26
Ulsan’s number of R&D projects in 2023 was 1,200[1]
27
Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2022 was 1,150[1]
28
Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2021 was 1,100[1]
29
Ulsan’s R&D projects in 2020 was 1,050[1]
30
Ulsan had 1,800 research publications (articles) in 2023[1]
Interpretation
Science, Innovation, And Investments Interpretation
Ulsan’s Science, Innovation, and Investments momentum is clearly rising, with smart factory participating firms growing from 250 in 2022 to 310 in 2023 alongside industry academia R&D projects increasing from 85 to 93.
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
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.
Sources & references
16 sources cited across this report