Reported Social Unrest Index in South Korea
South Korea: Reported Social Unrest Index was 24.35 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Reported Social Unrest Index in South Korea, 1990–2026
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for reported social unrest index in South Korea is 24.35, measured in 2026.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 95.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported social unrest index in South Korea peaked at 1,403 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1994.
That places South Korea 66th out of 133 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported Social Unrest Index in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 12.24 | — |
| 1991 | 12.89 | +5.3% |
| 1992 | 91.7 | +611.3% |
| 1993 | 35.57 | -61.2% |
| 1994 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1995 | 280.21 | — |
| 1996 | 130.3 | -53.5% |
| 1997 | 213.57 | +63.9% |
| 1998 | 113.83 | -46.7% |
| 1999 | 46.64 | -59.0% |
| 2000 | 198.73 | +326.1% |
| 2001 | 114.34 | -42.5% |
| 2002 | 295.43 | +158.4% |
| 2003 | 18.09 | -93.9% |
| 2004 | 83.23 | +360.0% |
| 2005 | 187.19 | +124.9% |
| 2006 | 101.73 | -45.7% |
| 2007 | 90.32 | -11.2% |
| 2008 | 41.28 | -54.3% |
| 2009 | 56.87 | +37.8% |
| 2010 | 77.44 | +36.2% |
| 2011 | 714.6 | +822.8% |
| 2012 | 254.33 | -64.4% |
| 2013 | 5.76 | -97.7% |
| 2014 | 46.43 | +705.9% |
| 2015 | 109.46 | +135.8% |
| 2016 | 485.95 | +343.9% |
| 2017 | 191.44 | -60.6% |
| 2018 | 73.65 | -61.5% |
| 2019 | 314.3 | +326.7% |
| 2020 | 108.97 | -65.3% |
| 2021 | 183.86 | +68.7% |
| 2022 | 90.7 | -50.7% |
| 2023 | 13.35 | -85.3% |
| 2024 | 1,403 | +10410.0% |
| 2025 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2026 | 24.35 | — |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 24.35 is below the median for high income countries, which is 32.28, 75% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported Social Unrest Index in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +10410.0% | 13.35 | 1,403 |
| 2011 | +822.8% | 77.44 | 714.6 |
| 2014 | +705.9% | 5.76 | 46.43 |
| 1992 | +611.3% | 12.89 | 91.7 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 93.69 | 0 | 280.21 | 10 |
| 2000s | 118.72 | 18.09 | 295.43 | 10 |
| 2010s | 227.34 | 5.76 | 714.6 | 10 |
| 2020s | 260.63 | 0 | 1,403 | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More economy & growth data for South Korea
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, annual growth rate -0.4147 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0034 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per capita 123.22 units per person (2025)
- Lending to the IMF (GRA), SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0078 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per capita 281.68 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDR Allocation, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0057 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDR Allocation, SDR, per capita 205.68 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported social unrest index in South Korea?
- Reported social unrest index in South Korea was 24.35 in 2026, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reported social unrest index recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1,403 in 2024.
- What is the lowest reported social unrest index recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1994.
- How does South Korea rank for reported social unrest index?
- South Korea ranks 66th out of 133 countries with data for 2026.
- Is reported social unrest index rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 95.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reported Social Unrest Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset provides two measures of social unrest derived from media reports. One is the “A” index from the paper, and the “events” series. Suggested citation: "Barrett, P., Appendino, M., Nguyen, K., & de Leon Miranda, J. (2022). Measuring social unrest using media reports. Journal of Development Economics, 158, 102924." Note: some sources mis-label China and Hong Kong SAR. Series which explicitly adjust for this are available on request from the authors.