The following data are from the State of the Global Workplace: 2026 Report (published April 2026; latest data collected January-December 2025). For more information, explore regional data summaries, global data summaries, or download the full report.
Employee Engagement in South Korea
In South Korea, 13% of employees are engaged at work. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 18% and the global average of 20%. This reflects a 1-point decrease from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | Engaged (%) | Not Engaged (%) | Actively Disengaged (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 67 | 23 |
| 2013 | 11 | 67 | 22 |
| 2014 | 8 | 67 | 24 |
| 2015 | 7 | 66 | 27 |
| 2016 | 7 | 67 | 26 |
| 2017 | 9 | 66 | 26 |
| 2018 | 10 | 71 | 20 |
| 2019 | 12 | 69 | 19 |
| 2020 | 12 | 69 | 19 |
| 2021 | 12 | 67 | 20 |
| 2022 | 12 | 65 | 24 |
| 2023 | 13 | 64 | 23 |
| 2024 | 14 | 62 | 24 |
| 2025 | 13 | 67 | 20 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents. Categories may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Life Evaluation in South Korea
In South Korea, 35% of employees are thriving in their overall lives. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 32% and the global average of 34%. This reflects no change from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | Thriving (%) | Struggling (%) | Suffering (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 34 | 56 | 10 |
| 2011 | 38 | 53 | 9 |
| 2012 | 40 | 52 | 8 |
| 2013 | 41 | 51 | 8 |
| 2014 | 35 | 56 | 8 |
| 2015 | 33 | 56 | 10 |
| 2016 | 33 | 56 | 11 |
| 2017 | 34 | 55 | 11 |
| 2018 | 34 | 55 | 10 |
| 2019 | 33 | 57 | 10 |
| 2020 | 32 | 58 | 10 |
| 2021 | 33 | 57 | 10 |
| 2022 | 31 | 56 | 12 |
| 2023 | 34 | 55 | 10 |
| 2024 | 35 | 55 | 10 |
| 2025 | 35 | 55 | 9 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents. Categories may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Daily Stress in South Korea
In South Korea, 39% of employees experienced stress a lot of the previous day. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 46% and the global average of 40%. This reflects a 3-point decrease from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | % Yes, Experienced Stress |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 40 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 39 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents.
Daily Anger in South Korea
In South Korea, 19% of employees experienced anger a lot of the previous day. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 20% and the global average of 22%. This reflects no change from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | % Yes, Experienced Anger |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 19 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents.
Daily Sadness in South Korea
In South Korea, 13% of employees experienced sadness a lot of the previous day. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 17% and the global average of 23%. This reflects a 2-point decrease from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | % Yes, Experienced Sadness |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 13 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents.
Daily Loneliness in South Korea
In South Korea, 15% of employees experienced loneliness a lot of the previous day. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 23% and the global average of 22%.
Job Climate in South Korea
In South Korea, 27% of employees say it is currently a good time to find a job in the city or area where they live. This compares to the East Asia regional average of 58% and the global average of 52%. This reflects a 1-point decrease from the prior three-year rolling average.
Data Table
| Three-Year Rolling Average Ending Year | % Yes, Good Time to Find a Job |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 27 |
Years with missing data indicate that results were either not collected or suppressed due to sample sizes below 300 respondents.