Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes (%) (upper) in South Korea
South Korea: Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes (%) (upper) was 97.7% in 2016. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes in South Korea, 2006–2016
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes in South Korea is 97.7%, measured in 2016.
The figure is down 0.7% on the previous year and up 4.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes in South Korea peaked at 98.6% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 83.0%, in 2008.
That places South Korea 1st out of 95 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the top 10%.
Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes (%) (upper) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 93.2% | — |
| 2008 | 83.0% | -10.9% |
| 2010 | 98.0% | +18.0% |
| 2012 | 98.6% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 98.3% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 97.7% | -0.7% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 97.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 87.0%, 1.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 97.7% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 67.0%, 1.5× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 88.1% | 83.0% | 93.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 98.1% | 97.7% | 98.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More education data for South Korea
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 233,046 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 76 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 434,627 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 412,067 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.66 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.51 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -4.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0484 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes in South Korea?
- Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes in South Korea was 97.7% in 2016, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 98.6% in 2012.
- What is the lowest completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 83.0% in 2008.
- How does South Korea rank for completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes?
- South Korea ranks 1st out of 95 countries with data for 2016.
- Is completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Completion rate, upper secondary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release