Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea
South Korea: Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes was 3.09 million trips in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea, 1995–2022
Source: UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in trips.
Analysis
The most recent figure for arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea is 3.09 million trips, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 233.3% on the previous year and down 71.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea peaked at 17.25 million trips in 2019 and was at its lowest, 927,000 trips, in 2021.
South Korea ranks 50th of 179 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea, year by year
| Year | trips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 3.54 million trips | — |
| 1996 | 3.46 million trips | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 3.70 million trips | +6.7% |
| 1998 | 4.07 million trips | +10.1% |
| 1999 | 4.47 million trips | +10.0% |
| 2000 | 5.12 million trips | +14.4% |
| 2001 | 4.93 million trips | -3.6% |
| 2002 | 5.12 million trips | +3.8% |
| 2003 | 4.52 million trips | -11.8% |
| 2004 | 5.55 million trips | +22.8% |
| 2005 | 5.72 million trips | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 5.81 million trips | +1.6% |
| 2007 | 6.09 million trips | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 6.53 million trips | +7.2% |
| 2009 | 7.51 million trips | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 8.49 million trips | +13.1% |
| 2011 | 9.52 million trips | +12.2% |
| 2012 | 10.89 million trips | +14.4% |
| 2013 | 11.85 million trips | +8.7% |
| 2014 | 13.89 million trips | +17.2% |
| 2015 | 12.99 million trips | -6.5% |
| 2016 | 17.00 million trips | +30.9% |
| 2017 | 13.10 million trips | -22.9% |
| 2018 | 15.11 million trips | +15.3% |
| 2019 | 17.25 million trips | +14.2% |
| 2020 | 2.47 million trips | -85.7% |
| 2021 | 927,000 trips | -62.5% |
| 2022 | 3.09 million trips | +233.3% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 3.09 million trips is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.47 million trips, 1.3× the median. (63 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 3.09 million trips is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 466,300 trips, 6.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +233.3% | 927,000 trips | 3.09 million trips |
| 2020 | -85.7% | 17.25 million trips | 2.47 million trips |
| 2021 | -62.5% | 2.47 million trips | 927,000 trips |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.85 million trips | 3.46 million trips | 4.47 million trips | 5 |
| 2000s | 5.69 million trips | 4.52 million trips | 7.51 million trips | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.01 million trips | 8.49 million trips | 17.25 million trips | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.16 million trips | 927,000 trips | 3.09 million trips | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
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 arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea?
- Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in South Korea was 3.09 million trips in 2022, according to UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 17.25 million trips in 2019.
- What is the lowest arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 927,000 trips in 2021.
- How does South Korea rank for arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes?
- South Korea ranks 50th out of 179 countries with data for 2022.
- Is arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 71.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of international trips where the main purpose is personal (leisure, visiting friends and relatives, health, etc.) and the visitor stays overnight.