Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea: Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) was 37,931 in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
37,931
Change on year
up 5.5%
World rank
23rd
of 143 countries
All-time high
37,931
in 2023
All-time low
-79,628
in 2003
Years of data
26
1998–2023

Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea, 1998–2023

-75.0k-50.0k-25.0k025.0k50.0k1998201020231998: -59.5k1999: -63.9k2000: -66.1k2001: -72.5k2002: -78.2k2003: -79.6k2004: -78.6k2005: -78.5k2006: -77.3k2007: -74.1k2008: -71.1k2009: -68.6k2010: -59.0k2011: -54.7k2012: -53.3k2013: -58.3k2014: -57.6k2015: -53.2k2016: -43.4k2017: -34.5k2018: -16.8k2019: -2.5k2020: 9.7k2021: 29.6k2022: 36.0k2023: 37.9k

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea is 37,931, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.5% on the previous year and up 165.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea peaked at 37,931 in 2023 and was at its lowest, -79,628, in 2003.

That places Republic of Korea 23rd out of 143 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.

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

Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea, year by year

Annual values for Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound), both sexes (UIS estimate) (number) in Republic of Korea, 1998 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1998 -59,487
1999 -63,885 +7.4%
2000 -66,099 +3.5%
2001 -72,474 +9.6%
2002 -78,174 +7.9%
2003 -79,628 +1.9%
2004 -78,598 -1.3%
2005 -78,533 -0.1%
2006 -77,339 -1.5%
2007 -74,137 -4.1%
2008 -71,095 -4.1%
2009 -68,640 -3.5%
2010 -58,982 -14.1%
2011 -54,741 -7.2%
2012 -53,329 -2.6%
2013 -58,263 +9.3%
2014 -57,567 -1.2%
2015 -53,199 -7.6%
2016 -43,430 -18.4%
2017 -34,487 -20.6%
2018 -16,766 -51.4%
2019 -2,531 -84.9%
2020 9,667 -481.9%
2021 29,579 +206.0%
2022 35,970 +21.6%
2023 37,931 +5.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s -61,686 -63,885 -59,487 2
2000s -74,472 -79,628 -66,099 10
2010s -43,330 -58,982 -2,531 10
2020s 28,287 9,667 37,931 4

Countries ranked near Republic of Korea

  1. 20 Czechia 45,153 compare
  2. 21 Portugal 40,218 compare
  3. 22 Belgium 39,464 compare
  4. 24 Mexico 34,328 compare
  5. 25 Macao 31,959 compare
  6. 26 New Zealand 31,755 compare

See the full ranking of 148 places →

More education data for Republic of Korea

All data for Republic of Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea?
Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea was 37,931 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) recorded in Republic of Korea?
The highest recorded value was 37,931 in 2023.
What is the lowest net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) recorded in Republic of Korea?
The lowest recorded value was -79,628 in 2003.
How does Republic of Korea rank for net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound)?
Republic of Korea ranks 23rd out of 143 countries with data for 2023.
Is net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 165.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound), both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in Republic of Korea. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/net-flow-of-internationally-mobile-students-inbound-outbound-both-sexes-uis-estimate/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound), both sexes (UIS estimate) (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
148 places, 2,435 data points, 1998–2023
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release