Top 10 Foreign Nationalities Living in Korea – Trends and Insights
South Korea has seen a steady rise in its foreign resident population, surpassing 2.7 million for the first time ever. As of the latest data from the Korea Immigration Service, the diversity of nationalities living in the country continues to expand, reflecting deeper economic, educational, and social ties between Korea and the rest of the world.
In this post, we take a closer look at the top 10 foreign nationalities residing in Korea, break down the numbers, and explore regional settlement patterns that reveal fascinating stories behind the statistics.
📊 Top 10 Foreign Nationalities in South Korea (2025 Data)
Source: Korea Immigration Service Statistics
|
Rank |
Country |
Population |
|
1 |
China |
980,670 |
|
2 |
Vietnam |
337,183 |
|
3 |
United
States |
180,230 |
|
4 |
Thailand |
169,848 |
|
5 |
Uzbekistan |
102,804 |
|
6 |
Philippines |
74,125 |
|
7 |
Japan |
70,375 |
|
8 |
Mongolia |
~61,000 |
|
9 |
Cambodia |
~60,000 |
|
10 |
Russia |
~59,000 |
1. China – The Undisputed No. 1
With nearly 1 million residents, Chinese nationals make up over 35% of Korea's total foreign population. This group includes a significant number of ethnic Koreans from China (Joseonjok), who have formed large, well-established communities in and around Seoul's southwestern districts and Gyeonggi Province's industrial complexes.
2. Vietnam – The Fastest Growing Community
Vietnam ranks second with over 337,000 residents. Beyond sheer numbers, Vietnamese students now represent the largest group of international students in Korea – a clear sign of strengthening bilateral ties in education and labor cooperation.
3. United States & Thailand – Strong Presence
The U.S. ranks third with around 180,000 residents, many of whom are English teachers, exchange students, and expatriates. Thailand follows closely with nearly 170,000, largely composed of industrial workers and marriage immigrants.
🌍 Where Do They Live? – Regional Hotspots
One of the most interesting aspects of this data is how settlement patterns differ by nationality. Below is a summary of top residential areas for selected nationalities:
|
Rank |
Korean-Chinese
(Joseonjok) |
Mainland
Chinese |
Vietnamese |
Uzbeks |
|
1 |
Siheung,
Gyeonggi |
Dongdaemun-gu,
Seoul |
Gyeongsan,
Gyeongbuk |
Danwon-gu,
Ansan |
|
2 |
Guro-gu,
Seoul |
Danwon-gu,
Ansan |
Gimhae,
Gyeongnam |
Asan,
Chungnam |
|
3 |
Yeongdeungpo-gu,
Seoul |
Siheung,
Gyeonggi |
Seobuk-gu,
Cheonan |
Yeonsu-gu,
Incheon |
|
4 |
Danwon-gu,
Ansan |
Jeju City |
Dalseo-gu,
Daegu |
Gimhae,
Gyeongnam |
|
5 |
Geumcheon-gu,
Seoul |
Guro-gu,
Seoul |
Siheung,
Gyeonggi |
Gwangsan-gu,
Gwangju |
|
6 |
Bupyeong-gu,
Incheon |
Seodaemun-gu,
Seoul |
Gwangsan-gu,
Gwangju |
Sangnok-gu,
Ansan |
|
7 |
Sosa-gu,
Bucheon |
Yeongdeungpo-gu,
Seoul |
Hwaseong,
Gyeonggi |
Gyeongsan,
Gyeongbuk |
|
8 |
Paldal-gu,
Suwon |
Gyeongsan,
Gyeongbuk |
Geoje,
Gyeongnam |
Anseong,
Gyeonggi |
|
9 |
Wonmi-gu,
Bucheon |
Gwangjin-gu,
Seoul |
Dongdaemun-gu,
Seoul |
Gyeongju,
Gyeongbuk |
|
10 |
Osan,
Gyeonggi |
Seongbuk-gu,
Seoul |
Pyeongtaek,
Gyeonggi |
– |
Korean-Chinese (Joseonjok) are concentrated in Siheung, Guro, Yeongdeungpo, and Ansan – areas that developed around large industrial parks starting in the 1990s.
Mainland Chinese are heavily present in Dongdaemun-gu (a major shopping and tourism hub), Ansan, and Siheung.
Vietnamese residents are notably concentrated in Gyeongsan and Gimhae in the Gyeongsang region, where manufacturing jobs and international marriages are more common.
💡 What This Means for Korean Society
These numbers are more than just statistics – they signal a rapid transition toward a multicultural society. Foreign nationals now account for about 5% of Korea's total population, and their impact is felt across the labor market, local economies, education, and cultural exchange.
Moving forward, integration policies, social awareness, and community support systems will become even more critical. The goal is not just for foreigners to "stay" in Korea, but to thrive as genuine members of Korean society.
