Services Sector Contribution to GDP in South Korea (1990-2022)

South Korea’s services sector has steadily grown, reflecting the country’s economic diversification from manufacturing to high-value services. Starting at 46.5% in 1990, the sector expanded to 50.8% by 1997, aided by the country’s rapid modernization. The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis briefly reduced services’ share, but recovery efforts soon boosted it to 53.9% by 2003. Growth continued, with the sector reaching 57.2% by 2019, driven by digital services, finance, and education. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a slight contraction, yet the services sector remained resilient, peaking at 58.0% by 2022. The steady increase reflects South Korea’s focus on high-tech services, healthcare, and online platforms, supporting economic stability and job creation amidst a rapidly evolving global economy.