High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports) in South Korea
South Korea: High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports) was 36.3% in 2024. ▲ Rising
High-technology exports in South Korea, 2007–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN). Measured in % of manufactured exports.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 36.3% for high-technology exports in 2024.
That represents a change of up 19.8% on the previous year and up 20.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, high-technology exports in South Korea peaked at 36.4% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 28.2%, in 2011.
South Korea ranks 14th of 175 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.
High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % of manufactured exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 32.4% | — |
| 2008 | 30.5% | -6.1% |
| 2009 | 32.1% | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 32.1% | -0.0% |
| 2011 | 28.2% | -12.2% |
| 2012 | 28.2% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 29.8% | +5.7% |
| 2014 | 30.1% | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 31.2% | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 30.5% | -2.2% |
| 2017 | 32.5% | +6.6% |
| 2018 | 36.4% | +11.8% |
| 2019 | 32.4% | -11.0% |
| 2020 | 35.6% | +9.9% |
| 2021 | 36.0% | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 36.1% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 30.3% | -16.2% |
| 2024 | 36.3% | +19.8% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 36.3% is above the median for high income countries, which is 14.7%, 2.5× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 36.3% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 20.0%, 1.8× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 31.7% | 30.5% | 32.4% | 3 |
| 2010s | 31.2% | 28.2% | 36.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.9% | 30.3% | 36.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 11 Vietnam 44.3% compare
- 12 Kazakhstan 42.2% compare
- 13 Israel 37.2% compare
- 15 Saint Kitts and Nevis 34.6% compare
- 16 Benin 30.5% compare
- 17 Switzerland 29.6% compare
More private sector data for South Korea
- Merchandise trade 71.6% (2025)
- Food imports 6.5% (2025)
- Manufactures imports 62.1% (2025)
- Merchandise imports 631.89 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service imports 183.44 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 1.7% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 88.0% (2025)
- Merchandise exports 709.33 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 149.31 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 13,724 current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is high-technology exports in South Korea?
- High-technology exports in South Korea was 36.3% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest high-technology exports recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 36.4% in 2018.
- What is the lowest high-technology exports recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.2% in 2011.
- How does South Korea rank for high-technology exports?
- South Korea ranks 14th out of 175 countries with data for 2024.
- Is high-technology exports rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), published as part of High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
High-technology exports are products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery.