🇰🇷South Korea Political Stability: 72.1/100
South Korea scores 72.1 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Stable" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.
Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.
South Korea is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. The country features a mountainous terrain, with only 30% of its land being arable, and is home to numerous national parks and islands, including Jeju Island. South Korea experiences a humid continental and humid subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons and a rainy season in summer.
As of 2024, South Korea has a population of approximately 51 million people, with a significant concentration in urban areas, particularly Seoul. The country has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history and neighboring countries, and it is known for its modern entertainment industry and high levels of press freedom.
Governance Indicators
Governance Profile: South Korea
World Bank governance: rule of law 82nd percentile, corruption control 72nd percentile, political stability 55th percentile.
South Korea's strongest governance dimension is Rule of Law at 82/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This reflects relatively strong confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, police, and courts.
The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 55/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.
A notable 27-point gap between Rule of Law and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.
Travelers to South Korea benefit from functional government institutions and reasonable regulatory frameworks. While not without challenges, the overall governance environment supports a manageable travel experience with adequate infrastructure and legal protections.
The U.S. State Department currently rates South Korea as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.
AS Governance Comparison
Top governance performers in AS based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| 🇸🇬Singapore | 94.7 |
| 🇭🇰Hong Kong | 86.6 |
| 🇯🇵Japan | 83.7 |
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | 77.1 |
| 🇧🇳Brunei | 76.1 |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | 75.4 |
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More South Korea Data
Safety ratings, regional breakdown, and entry requirements.
Free — 83/100 on the Freedom House index.
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