Number of Foreign Nationals in South Korea Reaches 2.8 Million in August

As of August 2026, South Korea has seen a significant rise in the number of foreign nationals residing in the country, reaching approximately 2.87 million. This marks a 5.3% increase compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the government.

Among these foreign residents, long-term residents accounted for 2.25 million, while short-term visitors, including tourists, numbered around 629,406. The data reveals that the majority of foreign nationals come from China, making up 34.6% of the total, followed by Vietnam and the United States.

Despite the increase from 2.73 million in August 2025, the figure represents a slight decline from July's peak of 2.9 million. Notably, 51.5% of registered foreign nationals reside in the greater Seoul area, highlighting the concentration of foreign populations in urban centers.

The continuous rise in foreign nationals since 2021 signals a recovery from the pandemic's impact, which had previously caused numbers to drop below 2 million. This trend could have significant implications for South Korea's labor market and overall economic dynamics.