Net flow: outbound, both sexes (UIS estimate) … both sexes UIS in South Korea
South Korea: Net flow: outbound, both sexes (UIS estimate) … both sexes UIS was 37,931 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in South Korea, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in South 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 South Korea peaked at 37,931 in 2023 and was at its lowest, -79,628, in 2003.
That places South Korea 23rd out of 148 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: outbound, both sexes (UIS estimate) … both sexes UIS in South Korea, year by year
| 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% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 37,931 is above the median for high income countries, which is 5,566, 6.8× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 37,931 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -987.5. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net flow: outbound, both sexes (UIS estimate) … both sexes UIS in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +481.9% | -2,531 | 9,667 |
| 2021 | +206.0% | 9,667 | 29,579 |
| 2019 | +84.9% | -16,766 | -2,531 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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 South Korea
More education data for South Korea
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.79 (2022)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.94 (2024)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in South Korea?
- Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) in South 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 37,931 in 2023.
- What is the lowest net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -79,628 in 2003.
- How does South Korea rank for net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound)?
- South Korea ranks 23rd out of 148 countries with data for 2023.
- Is net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound) rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 165.1%. 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 Net flow of internationally mobile students (inbound - outbound), both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release