In 2020, about 19 million people were employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea, slightly up from about 18.5 million in the previous year. SMEs were the largest employer in South Korea, with their workforce accounting for more than 80 percent of the country's total employment.
Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022
(in millions)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are for-profit businesses whose total assets do not exceed 500 billion South Korean won and which meet the criterion of independence (not a subsidiary of a large enterprise). Depending on the type of business, companies with average three-year sales of 40 billion South Korean won or less to 150 billion South Korean won or less are defined as SMEs.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (October 24, 2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions)." Chart. October 24, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of People Employed by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph], Ministry of SMEs and Startups, October 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
