Record number of students from immigrant families enroll in South Korean schools
South Korea's education ministry reports that 210,838 elementary through high school pupils from multicultural or foreign-nationality families were enrolled as of April 1, a 4.3% rise year-over-year.
According to figures from the education ministry and the Korean Educational Development Institute, 210,838 pupils from multicultural or foreign-nationality families were attending elementary, middle and high schools in South Korea as of April 1, marking a 4.3% increase over the prior year and representing the same share of the total student body. Vietnamese-origin students constitute the biggest segment at 30.9%, while Chinese and Filipino backgrounds account for 26.7% and 8.1% respectively.
The report also highlighted a surge in university and graduate-school enrolments by foreign students, which climbed to 307,464, a 21.3% jump. For the first time, Vietnamese scholars number 96,834, surpassing Chinese students, who total 78,890. These trends reflect the growing diversity of South Korea's education system at both school and tertiary levels.
Why it matters
The rise shows South Korea's schools are becoming increasingly multicultural, affecting policy and resource planning.
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