UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea

South Korea: UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of was 20.8% in 2015. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2015)
20.8%
World rank
20th
of 82 countries
All-time high
25.2%
in 2005
All-time low
1.8%
in 1970
Years of data
11
1970–2015

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea, 1970–2015

05101520251970199220151970: 1.81975: 2.61980: 41985: 5.71990: 7.21995: 13.42000: 17.82005: 25.22009: 23.22010: 17.32015: 20.8

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

South Korea recorded 20.8% for uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in 2015.

That represents a change of down 17.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea peaked at 25.2% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 1.8%, in 1970.

That places South Korea 20th out of 82 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea, year by year

Annual values for UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is Bachelor's or equivalent (ISCED 6), female in South Korea, 1970 to 2015.
Year Value Change
1970 1.8%
1975 2.6% +43.8%
1980 4.0% +53.1%
1985 5.7% +44.2%
1990 7.2% +25.5%
1995 13.4% +86.6%
2000 17.8% +32.3%
2005 25.2% +41.8%
2009 23.2% -8.0%
2010 17.3% -25.4%
2015 20.8% +20.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 2.2% 1.8% 2.6% 2
1980s 4.9% 4.0% 5.7% 2
1990s 10.3% 7.2% 13.4% 2
2000s 22.1% 17.8% 25.2% 3
2010s 19.0% 17.3% 20.8% 2

Countries ranked near South Korea

  1. 17 Israel 22.1% compare
  2. 18 United States 22.1% compare
  3. 19 Norway 21.9% compare
  4. 21 Hong Kong 20.6% compare
  5. 22 Moldova 20.5% compare
  6. 23 Canada 20.0% compare

See the full ranking of 82 places →

More reference data data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea?
Uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea was 20.8% in 2015, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of recorded in South Korea?
The highest recorded value was 25.2% in 2005.
What is the lowest uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of recorded in South Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 1.8% in 1970.
How does South Korea rank for uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of?
South Korea ranks 20th out of 82 countries with data for 2015.
Is uis: percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of rising or falling in South Korea?
Over the last ten years it is down 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Korea data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is Bachelor's or equivalent (ISCED 6), female. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of in South Korea. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/uis-percentage-of-population-age-25-whose-highest-level-of-education-is-bachelor-s-or-2/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ whose highest level of education is Bachelor's or equivalent (ISCED 6), female
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
82 places, 916 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

The percentage of female population (age 25 and over) with a completed bachelor's or equivalent degree (ISCED 6) degree as the highest level of educational attainment. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of females aged 25 years and above who completed a bachelor's or equivalent degree as the highest level of educational attainment by the total female population of the same age group and multiplying the result by 100. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) educational attainment dataset shows the educational composition of the population aged 25 years and above and hence the stock and quality of human capital within a country. The dataset also reflects the structure and performance of the education system and its accumulated impact on human capital formation. For more information, visit the UNESCO Institute for Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/