Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea
South Korea: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 67.6% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea, 1965–2021
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
In 2021, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea stood at 67.6%.
Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea peaked at 69.5% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 14.0%, in 1965.
That places South Korea 15th out of 113 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 14.0% | — |
| 1966 | 15.0% | +7.1% |
| 1971 | 20.1% | +33.8% |
| 1974 | 27.0% | +34.5% |
| 1979 | 43.1% | +59.6% |
| 1982 | 47.4% | +10.0% |
| 1991 | 69.5% | +46.6% |
| 2021 | 67.6% | -2.7% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 67.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 60.4%, 1.1× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 67.6% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 52.2%, 1.3× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 14.5% | 14.0% | 15.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 30.1% | 20.1% | 43.1% | 3 |
| 1980s | 47.4% | 47.4% | 47.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 69.5% | 69.5% | 69.5% | 1 |
| 2020s | 67.6% | 67.6% | 67.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 12 Costa Rica 70.0% compare
- 13 Mexico 69.1% compare
- 14 North Korea 68.8% compare
- 16 Honduras 66.5% compare
- 17 Paraguay 66.4% compare
- 18 United States 66.1% compare
More reference data data for South Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9638 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9281 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2074 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea?
- Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea was 67.6% in 2021, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 69.5% in 1991.
- What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.0% in 1965.
- How does South Korea rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
- South Korea ranks 15th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).