Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Gender equality in South Korea - statistics & facts
South Korea’s gender divide has become more visible than ever in recent years. While there has been progress in achieving educational and economic equality for women over the last few decades, disparities between men and women persist across all areas of society. As of 2022, South Korea had the widest gender pay gap among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Moreover, gender conflicts in society have intensified recently, particularly among younger generations, which has resulted in a noticeable decline in marriage and birth rates.Â
Women are also significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. As of 2023, only around 22 percent of managerial positions were held by women. Even though there has been progress over the past decades, only one-fifth of parliamentary seats were occupied by women. While there have been government initiatives, such as expanded parental leave policies and increased funding to support women whose careers have been disrupted, these measures are often seen as insufficient.Â
Gender gap at work
Although the female labor force participation rate has steadily increased, women remain underrepresented in the labor market. Disparities between men and women are still visible in pay, career development, and job stability. In 2023, Korean women earned only about 65 percent of what men made. Many of them worked shorter hours than men due to childcare responsibilities and often faced career disruptions. Despite some progress in recent years, over one million women left the workforce in 2024 for childcare reasons.Women are also significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. As of 2023, only around 22 percent of managerial positions were held by women. Even though there has been progress over the past decades, only one-fifth of parliamentary seats were occupied by women. While there have been government initiatives, such as expanded parental leave policies and increased funding to support women whose careers have been disrupted, these measures are often seen as insufficient.Â
Gender conflict in society
The rise of feminist movements, particularly the #MeToo movement in 2016, has played a crucial role in raising awareness about gender equality in Korean society. However, this movement has also faced backlash from some Korean men who feel marginalized. This was especially evident during the 2022 presidential elections, when young men predominantly supported the conservative candidate Yoon Suk Yeol, who proposed abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Furthermore, rising gender tensions have led many young people to avoid marriage and parenthood. With South Korea facing the lowest birth rates in the world, it remains to be seen how the country will address these challenges and work to bridge the gender gap, which is also crucial to tackling its pressing demographic issues.
