South Korea: university student enrollment 2024

In 2024, around 2.36 million students were enrolled at universities and junior colleges in South Korea, a slight decrease compared to the previous year. The number of students enrolled at universities in South Korea has been declining in recent years, while the overall enrollment rate at universities has risen slightly to around 76 percent in 2023.

Education in South Korea

During South Korea's rapid economic development after the Korean War (1950-1953), education took a significant place and became one of the most essential matters for South Koreans. As a result, South Korea has the highest proportion of tertiary-educated people worldwide. As graduating from a top university is seen as crucial for further academic, professional, or personal development, most elementary and secondary school students participate in some form of private education.

Competitiveness and social pressure

The primary motivation for a good education comes predominantly from outside, namely from the extremely high pressure to perform. Many students participate in private education due to peer pressure or to advance more than others. The high number of suicide deaths among young people in South Korea can reflect the high pressure and competitive stress endured during school years.

Number of students enrolled in higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2024 (in 1,000s)

Characteristic	Enrolled university students in thousands
2024	2,356.55
2023	2,393.13
2022	2,457.35
2021	2,544.24
2020	2,633.79
2019	2,676.86
2018	2,721.32
2017	2,769.52
2016	2,831.17
2015	2,894.41
2014	2,947.5
2013	2,971.89
2012	2,988.17
2011	2,985.35
2010	2,951.28
2009	2,911.22
2008	2,901.28
2007	2,910.72
2006	2,912.75
2005	2,926.62
2004	2,946.61
2003	2,949.51
2002	2,945.17
2001	2,883.77
2000	2,770.2
1999	2,626.98
1998	2,446.93
1997	2,255.25
1996	2,071.84
1995	1,897.88
1994	1,758.95
1993	1,649.75
1992	1,561.87
1991	1,484.59
1990	1,431.92
1989	1,376.29
1988	1,328.28
1987	1,309.85
1986	1,234.18
1985	1,212.43
1984	1,127.81
1983	1,003.12
1982	890.54
1981	745.91
1980	577.46

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Release date

October 2024

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Region

South Korea

Survey time period

1980 to 2024

Supplementary notes

The figures do not include distance universities, open universities, corporate universities, and graduate schools. Junior colleges, industrial universities, and universities of education are included.

Figures have been rounded.

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