Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea
Korea: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 67.6% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea, 1965–2021
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Korea recorded 67.6% for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in 2021.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea peaked at 69.5% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 14.0%, in 1965.
Korea ranks 15th of 113 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 14.0% | — |
| 1966 | 15.0% | +7.1% |
| 1971 | 20.1% | +33.8% |
| 1974 | 27.0% | +34.5% |
| 1979 | 43.1% | +59.6% |
| 1982 | 47.4% | +10.0% |
| 1991 | 69.5% | +46.6% |
| 2021 | 67.6% | -2.7% |
Korea compared with similar countries
- Korea's 67.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 60.4%, 1.1× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Korea's 67.6% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 52.2%, 1.3× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 14.5% | 14.0% | 15.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 30.1% | 20.1% | 43.1% | 3 |
| 1980s | 47.4% | 47.4% | 47.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 69.5% | 69.5% | 69.5% | 1 |
| 2020s | 67.6% | 67.6% | 67.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Korea
- 12 Costa Rica 70.0% compare
- 13 Mexico 69.1% compare
- 14 North Korea 68.8% compare
- 16 Honduras 66.5% compare
- 17 Paraguay 66.4% compare
- 18 United States 66.1% compare
More gender data for Korea
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 4,318 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -3.79 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 46,871 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 46,871 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 0.0957 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 119,025 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 125,732 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 116,471 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 122,813 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 119,098 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Korea was 67.6% in 2021, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 69.5% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.0% in 1965.
- How does Korea rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Korea ranks 15th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.