Number of people using the Internet in South Korea
South Korea: Number of people using the Internet was 50.59 million users in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of people using the Internet in South Korea, 1990–2021
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in. Measured in users.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of people using the internet in South Korea is 50.59 million users, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 32 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.1% on the previous year and up 22.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people using the internet in South Korea peaked at 50.59 million users in 2021 and was at its lowest, 10,271 users, in 1990.
South Korea ranks 20th of 207 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.72 million users | 10,271 users | 10.97 million users | 10 |
| 2000s | 33.08 million users | 20.90 million users | 39.61 million users | 10 |
| 2010s | 45.21 million users | 40.82 million users | 49.78 million users | 10 |
| 2020s | 50.32 million users | 50.05 million users | 50.59 million users | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More science & technology data for South Korea
- Scientific and technical journal articles 71,724 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 89.22 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 172.52 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 172.52 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 51,753 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 97.9% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 186,245 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 4.9% (2023)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.8 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 24.72 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people using the internet in South Korea?
- Number of people using the internet in South Korea was 50.59 million users in 2021, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in.
- What is the highest number of people using the internet recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 50.59 million users in 2021.
- What is the lowest number of people using the internet recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 10,271 users in 1990.
- How does South Korea rank for number of people using the internet?
- South Korea ranks 20th out of 207 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of people using the internet rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in, published as part of Number of people using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of individuals using the Internet.