Foreign resident population in Korea hits record 2.66 mil. as int'l student numbers surge

The foreign resident population in South Korea has reached a record high of 2.66 million in 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This increase is largely attributed to a significant rise in international students, with the total foreign resident population growing by 3.1 percent compared to the previous year.

As of November 2024, foreign residents accounted for 5.1 percent of South Korea's total population of 51.8 million, marking the highest proportion on record. The foreign resident category includes non-Korean nationals, naturalized citizens, and Korean-born children of foreign residents, each experiencing growth in the past year.

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