Women in South Korea: 25.9 Million (50.3%) as of 2020

Per Statistics Korea (KOSTAT) 2020 Census:

• Total population: 51.83 million.
• Female population: 25.94 million (50.05% — slight male majority at birth reverses by 60+).
• Sex ratio: 99.8 males per 100 females (overall).

Demographic Context

• Ultra-low fertility: 0.72 TFR (2023) — world's lowest. Population peaked 2020; declining since.
• Aging: 17.5% 65+ (2023) → 40%+ by 2050. Women outlive men (~6 yr gap) → elderly population majority female.
• Labor force: Female participation 60% (vs. 75% men); gender pay gap ~31% (OECD highest). "M-curve" (drop at childbirth) persists despite policy.
• Education: Women > men in tertiary enrollment (75% vs 65%), but underrepresented in STEM, leadership.

Policy Levers

Parental leave (18 mo + "daddy quota"), childcare subsidies, wedding/childbirth grants, flexible work mandates — expanding, but cultural norms (intensive mothering, long hours) lag.

25.9M women — half the nation, driving its future, constrained by its past.