South Korea’s foreign resident population exceeded 2.8 million in October, marking the highest level on record, government data showed Saturday. The surge reflects rising numbers of long-term stays for work, study, and seasonal employment.
The Justice Ministry reported 2,837,525 foreign nationals registered as residents by October, a 3.6 percent increase from September. Officials highlighted that this growth represents both a rebound from the pandemic downturn and a continuation of long-term migration trends.
Before COVID-19, the foreign resident population peaked at 2.524 million in 2019. Pandemic restrictions reduced the figure sharply to 1.956 million by 2021. Since then, numbers steadily recovered, reaching 2.507 million in 2023 and 2.65 million in 2024.
Long-term residents, who accounted for roughly 2.16 million, rose 6.3 percent year-on-year. Short-term residents increased 2.7 percent, totaling 676,000. Seasonal workers under the E-8 visa experienced the fastest growth, soaring 58.7 percent to 65,000. Students with D-2 visas grew 22.1 percent to 222,000, while E-9 non-professional workers rose 2.4 percent to 335,000.
Chinese nationals comprised the largest share of the foreign resident population, numbering 975,000 or 34.4 percent. Vietnamese citizens followed at 12.5 percent, Americans at 6.9 percent, and Thais at 6 percent. Analysts note that this composition reflects both labor demand and educational opportunities in South Korea.
Immigration experts emphasized that the foreign resident population expansion carries significant economic and social implications. “Steady growth in foreign workers helps address labor shortages, particularly in manufacturing and service sectors,” said Professor Lee Hye-jin of Seoul National University’s Migration Studies Center. She added that policymakers must ensure integration programs keep pace with population growth.
Government officials also stressed the need to manage urban planning, healthcare, and education resources as the foreign resident population rises. They indicated that immigration monitoring systems will continue to track demographic changes to support policy decisions.
Looking ahead, analysts expect continued growth in the foreign resident population, especially among skilled workers and international students. Seasonal labor programs are likely to attract additional migrants, particularly from neighboring Asian countries.
