Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea: Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education was 45.2% in 2022. ▼ Falling

Latest (2022)
45.2%
World rank
33rd
of 51 countries
All-time high
85.5%
in 2012
All-time low
45.2%
in 2022
Years of data
6
2003–2022

Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea, 2003–2022

0204060802003201220222003: 67.5 %2006: 75.3 %2009: 74 %2012: 85.5 %2018: 62.6 %2022: 45.2 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea is 45.2%, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.

That represents a change of down 47.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea peaked at 85.5% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 45.2%, in 2022.

Republic of Korea ranks 33rd of 51 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading, did not speak the language of the test at home, both sexes (%) in Republic of Korea, 2003 to 2022.
Year % Change
2003 67.5%
2006 75.3% +11.5%
2009 74.0% -1.7%
2012 85.5% +15.5%
2018 62.6% -26.7%
2022 45.2% -27.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 72.2% 67.5% 75.3% 3
2010s 74.0% 62.6% 85.5% 2
2020s 45.2% 45.2% 45.2% 1

Countries ranked near Republic of Korea

  1. 30 Germany 50.9% compare
  2. 31 Türkiye 49.9% compare
  3. 32 Chile 45.9% compare
  4. 34 Netherlands 45.1% compare
  5. 35 Romania 41.5% compare
  6. 36 Costa Rica 39.7% compare

See the full ranking of 51 places →

More education data for Republic of Korea

All data for Republic of Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea?
Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea was 45.2% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education recorded in Republic of Korea?
The highest recorded value was 85.5% in 2012.
What is the lowest proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education recorded in Republic of Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 45.2% in 2022.
How does Republic of Korea rank for proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education?
Republic of Korea ranks 33rd out of 51 countries with data for 2022.
Is proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
Over the last ten years it is down 47.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading, did not speak the language of the test at home, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education in Republic of Korea. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-students-at-the-end-of-lower-secondary-education-achieving-at-least-a-46/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of students at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading, did not speak the language of the test at home, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
51 places, 363 data points, 2000–2022
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release