Highest Unemployment in South Korea

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · South Korea

Highest Unemployment — South Korea

1 Ponggae-dong 01 2.7%

2 Sanji 01 2.7%

3 Dodong-ri 14 2.7%

4 Pyeongchang 06 2.7%

5 Songgangdong 19 2.7%

6 Yongsan-dong 11 2.7%

7 Sintansin 19 2.7%

8 Ora-dong 01 2.7%

9 Beolgyo 16 2.7%

10 Jumunjin 06 2.7%

11 Jenzan 14 2.7%

12 Puan 03 2.7%

13 Hwacheon 06 2.7%

14 Taesal-li 17 2.7%

15 Namsa 03 2.7%

16 Gaigeturi 01 2.7%

17 Haenam 16 2.7%

18 Yanggu 06 2.7%

19 Yŏnmu 17 2.7%

20 Kinzan 17 2.7%

21 Neietsu 06 2.7%

22 Ganghwa-gun 12 2.7%

23 Imsil 03 2.7%

24 Changsu 03 2.7%

25 Goseong 20 2.7%

26 Hayang 14 2.7%

27 Seonghwan 17 2.7%

28 Waegwan 14 2.7%

29 Kurye 16 2.7%

30 Jinan-gun 03 2.7%

31 Cheongsong gun 14 2.7%

32 Tangjin 17 2.7%

33 Kunwi 14 2.7%

34 Jangheung 16 2.7%

35 Yeonil 14 2.7%

36 Heunghae 14 2.7%

37 Boseong 16 2.7%

38 Jungpyong 05 2.7%

39 Yesan 17 2.7%

40 Ara-dong 01 2.7%

41 Cheorwon 06 2.7%

42 Hadong 20 2.7%

43 Jangseong 16 2.7%

44 Santyoku 06 2.7%

45 Naju 16 2.7%

46 Seodong 01 2.7%

47 Munsan 13 2.7%

48 Yeongdong 05 2.7%

49 Nonsan 17 2.7%

50 Koesan 05 2.7%

51 Damyang 16 2.7%

52 Kimje 03 2.7%

53 Ido-dong 01 2.7%

54 T’aebaek 06 2.7%

55 Yeongam 16 2.7%

56 Yeonggwang 16 2.7%

57 Miryang 20 2.7%

58 Sinan 16 2.7%

59 Yecheon 14 2.7%

60 Tallang-dong 01 2.7%

61 Gapyeong 13 2.7%

62 Eisen 14 2.7%

63 Okcheon 05 2.7%

64 Buyeo 17 2.7%

65 Hwasun 16 2.7%

66 Chinch'ŏn 05 2.7%

67 Kosong 06 2.7%

68 Pubal 13 2.7%

69 Uiwang 13 2.7%

70 Hwawŏn 15 2.7%

71 Anseong 13 2.7%

72 Tongyeong 20 2.7%

73 Kyosai 20 2.7%

74 Gongju 17 2.7%

75 Koch'ang 03 2.7%

76 Seosan 17 2.7%

77 Changnyeong 20 2.7%

78 Hongch’ŏn 06 2.7%

79 Mungyeong 14 2.7%

80 Naesŏ 20 2.7%

81 Sokcho 06 2.7%

82 Nangen 03 2.7%

83 Gwangju 13 2.7%

84 Sinhyeon 20 2.7%

85 Ungsang 20 2.7%

86 Yangp'yŏng 13 2.7%

87 Wanju 03 2.7%

88 Yeongju 14 2.7%

89 Hongseong 17 2.7%

90 Kwangyang 16 2.7%

91 Namyangju 13 2.7%

92 Muan 16 2.7%

93 Boryeong 17 2.7%

94 Wabu 13 2.7%

95 Asan 17 2.7%

96 Donghae City 06 2.7%

97 Sangju 14 2.7%

98 Hwado 13 2.7%

99 Yeoju 13 2.7%

100 Siheungdong 11 2.7%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in South Korea face significant economic challenges. Ponggae-dong has an unemployment rate of 2.7%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Ponggae-dong, about 1 in 37 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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