Old-age dependency ratio in South Korea
South Korea: Old-age dependency ratio was 25.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Old-age dependency ratio in South Korea, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, old-age dependency ratio in South Korea stood at 25.9%. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of up 5.5% on the previous year and up 57.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, old-age dependency ratio in South Korea peaked at 25.9% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 1951.
South Korea ranks 59th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5.2% | 5.0% | 5.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.0% | 5.6% | 6.2% | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.2% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.5% | 6.2% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.1% | 7.0% | 9.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.3% | 9.9% | 14.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.6% | 15.1% | 20.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.9% | 21.9% | 25.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More reference data data for South Korea
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- Summer temperature anomalies 0.7164 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.8996 °C (2026)
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- Autumn temperature anomalies 2.24 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9115 °C (2025)
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- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is old-age dependency ratio in South Korea?
- Old-age dependency ratio in South Korea was 25.9% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest old-age dependency ratio recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 25.9% in 2023.
- What is the lowest old-age dependency ratio recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 1951.
- How does South Korea rank for old-age dependency ratio?
- South Korea ranks 59th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is old-age dependency ratio rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 57.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Old-age dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The number of people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).