Gyeongbokgung

South Korea

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for South Korea
Published: 2026

Region: East Asia
Capital: Seoul
Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)
Density: 531 / km²

WRI Score 2026

64.27

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 105th
In Asia: 16th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 45%· KPMG / EY
10.9
Among the highest top marginal rates on this list.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 531 / km²· UN WPP
1.0
Among the most densely populated places on the list.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $37,523· IMF WEO 2026
75.2
Middle-income economy by per-capita output.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 84.1 years· WHO / UN
96.4
Among the longest average lifespans globally.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.3 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
55.1
Moderate tourism activity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 2.7%· ILO / SECO
97.0
Among the lowest unemployment rates globally.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 2.8% of GDP· SIPRI
76.0
Moderate defence spending relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
84.7
Strong safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
85.2
Low institutional ideological enforcement.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

South Korea holds 105th of 211 with a WRI Score of 64.27 — ranks just above the midpoint of the index. The score is driven by near-perfect unemployment (97) and life expectancy (96.4), with population density standing out as its clearest structural constraint.