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

Latest (2021)
67.6%
World rank
15th
of 113 countries
All-time high
69.5%
in 1991
All-time low
14.0%
in 1965
Years of data
8
1965–2021

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in South Korea, 1965–2021

2040601965199320211965: 14 % of women ages 15-491966: 15 % of women ages 15-491971: 20.1 % of women ages 15-491974: 27 % of women ages 15-491979: 43.1 % of women ages 15-491982: 47.4 % of women ages 15-491991: 69.5 % of women ages 15-492021: 67.6 % of women ages 15-49

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 12 Costa Rica 70.0% compare
  2. 13 Mexico 69.1% compare
  3. 14 North Korea 68.8% compare
  4. 16 Honduras 66.5% compare
  5. 17 Paraguay 66.4% compare
  6. 18 United States 66.1% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

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

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
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
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

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).