Healthcare
South Korea — Healthcare: Public Healthcare
Health system indicators for South Korea, from World Bank Open Data: current health expenditure 8.7 % of GDP (2024); government share of current health expenditure 57 % (2024); out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure 34 % (2024); physicians 2.6 per 1,000 people (2022); hospital beds 12.8 per 1,000 people (2022); life expectancy at birth 83.6 years (2024).
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceWorld Bank — World Development Indicators (World Bank Open Data)Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Key facts
- Current health expenditure: 8.7 % of GDP (2024)
- Government share of current health expenditure: 57 % (2024)
- Out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure: 34 % (2024)
- Physicians: 2.6 per 1,000 people (2022)
- Hospital beds: 12.8 per 1,000 people (2022)
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.6 years (2024)
Steps
- Obtaining a residence visa — Residents must obtain a residence visa to be eligible for public healthcare. The process and requirements for obtaining a residence visa are uncertain and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
- Registering with the public healthcare system — It is unclear what specific steps are required to register with the public healthcare system, as English language sources provide limited information.
Costs
- Health insurance premiums: varies
Timelines
- Residence visa processing time: unknown
Required documents
- Residence visa
- Health insurance card
Common mistakes
- Believing that public healthcare in South Korea is free or low-cost for foreigners (it appears to be mandatory but may require significant out-of-pocket expenses)
- Not researching the specific requirements for registering with the public healthcare system
What these figures do not cover
These are national statistics. Who is eligible for the public system, how a foreign resident enrols, what it costs and waiting times are not covered here.