The proportion of female workers in South Korea's major corporations stands at 25%, and their average salary is reported to be 71% of their male counterparts.
A recent report by Korea CXO Research Institute indicates that female employees make up only 25% of the workforce across major South Korean corporations, with their average salary reflecting a significant gender wage gap. In 2024, the number of female employees in listed companies surveyed reached approximately 223,336 individuals, a slight increase from the previous year, even as the number of male employees decreased slightly. The distribution of female representation varies by industry, with retail and finance leading the way, yet sectors like machinery and steel feature considerably lower female participation.
In terms of salary, the findings reveal that female workers earn an average of 70.9 million won per year, which is about 71.3% of the average salary of their male counterparts, who earn around 99.4 million won. Although the gender wage gap has narrowed from 30.2% to 28.7% year-over-year, the fact remains that no industries assessed reported higher average salaries for female workers compared to males. Notably, about 19 companies have female average salaries exceeding 100 million won, with NH Investment & Securities leading in this metric.
These statistics highlight an ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace, as representations and wage disparities persist despite slight improvements. The low percentage of women in leadership and high-paying roles raises questions about the pathways available for women in high-demand industries and underscores the need for policies promoting equity and diversity in corporate South Korea.
