Gender pay gap South Korea 2008-2023

In 2023, the women-to-men earnings ratio in South Korea was approximately 65.3 percent. While this figure has increased in recent years, the gender pay gap remains significant in South Korean society.

South Korea's gender pay gap

An increasing number of South Korean women have joined the workforce in recent years. However, the female labor force participation rate remains significantly lower than the average of countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). As of 2022, South Korea also had the largest gender pay gap among OECD countries. 

Challenges of work-life balance 

The struggle to balance childcare responsibilities with career demands disproportionately affects working women. This is especially true in South Korea, where a survey on women's equality has shown that employers do not provide adequate support for women to achieve a healthy work-life balance. One significant obstacle that makes it difficult for South Korean women to advance in their careers is the challenge of returning to work after an extended career break, such as maternity leave.