Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea

South Korea: Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing was 8.8% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
8.8%
Change on year
up 11.5%
World rank
31st
of 57 countries
All-time high
8.9%
in 2020
All-time low
5.2%
in 2011
Years of data
12
2011–2023

Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea, 2011–2023

024682011201720232011: 5.2 %2012: 7.1 %2013: 6.4 %2014: 7.8 %2015: 8.1 %2016: 8 %2017: 7.9 %2018: 7.6 %2020: 8.9 %2021: 8.4 %2022: 7.9 %2023: 8.8 %

Source: United Nations Industrial Development Organization – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea is 8.8%, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of up 11.5% on the previous year and up 38.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea peaked at 8.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 5.2%, in 2011.

That places South Korea 31st out of 57 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.

Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea, year by year

Annual values for Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea, 2011 to 2023.
Year % Change
2011 5.2%
2012 7.1% +38.2%
2013 6.4% -10.1%
2014 7.8% +21.8%
2015 8.1% +3.6%
2016 8.0% -1.6%
2017 7.9% -1.0%
2018 7.6% -3.0%
2020 8.9% +16.6%
2021 8.4% -6.2%
2022 7.9% -5.0%
2023 8.8% +11.5%

South Korea compared with similar countries

  • South Korea's 8.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 10.2%, 87% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
  • South Korea's 8.8% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 7.8%, 1.1× the median. (7 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 7.3% 5.2% 8.1% 8
2020s 8.5% 7.9% 8.9% 4

Countries ranked near South Korea

  1. 28 Serbia 9.9% compare
  2. 29 Finland 9.7% compare
  3. 30 Lithuania 8.9% compare
  4. 32 Norway 8.5% compare
  5. 33 Israel 8.1% compare
  6. 34 Hungary 8.1% compare

See the full ranking of 57 places →

More reference data data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea?
Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea was 8.8% in 2023, according to United Nations Industrial Development Organization – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing recorded in South Korea?
The highest recorded value was 8.9% in 2020.
What is the lowest share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing recorded in South Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 5.2% in 2011.
How does South Korea rank for share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing?
South Korea ranks 31st out of 57 countries with data for 2023.
Is share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing rising or falling in South Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 38.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Korea data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Industrial Development Organization – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing in South Korea. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Industrial Development Organization – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/small-scale-industries-share/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Share of small-scale manufacturing in total manufacturing
Unit
%
Source
United Nations Industrial Development Organization – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
57 places, 804 data points, 2004–2024
Last refreshed

Proportion of small-scale manufacturing industries in total manufacturing value added based on international classification (%).