Republic of Korea (South) - COUNTRY PROFILE
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COUNTRY PROFILE Republic of Korea (South) 1. Overview 2. Community in Australia REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH) 3. Permanent migration Capital city: Seoul 4. Temporary entry Population 2013: 48.6 million 5. Permanent departures Main languages: Korean 6. State and territory summary Monetary unit: Korean Won Explanatory notes Further reading Statistical tables 1. Overview With a land area less than half that of Victoria and a population of almost 50 million, South Korea has one of the world's highest population densities. This factor has contributed to an international Korean diaspora of around seven million people, with most settling in the United States of America, China or Japan. More recently, however, significant numbers of Korean nationals have chosen to live in Australia. The main route for these migrants is the Skill Stream, which accounted for 75 per cent of permanent visas granted to South Korean nationals in 2012–13. South Korea has a relatively high gross domestic product per capita, which on a purchasing power parity basis is three-quarters of Australia’s. While this makes South Korea wealthy by Asian standards, the state of its economy could also be a significant motivator for migration. South Korea is highly dependent on manufacturing exports, which can be volatile in times of economic uncertainty. Another factor is a high level of domestic competition for skilled work due to its highly educated workforce. A summary measure of wellbeing is the Human Development Index (HDI), produced by the United Nations. The HDI is a composite measure of three dimensions of human development—health, education and income. Australia ranks very high on this measure, with a 2012 score of 0.94, second only to Norway. Table 1 In 2012, South Korea’s HDI was 0.90, giving the country an international ranking of 12 out of 186 countries. The HDI of East Asia and the Pacific in 2012 was 0.68, placing South Korea well above the regional average. South Korea also ranked slightly above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 0.89 in 2012.
2. Community in Australia At the end of June 2011, 97 600 South Korean-born people were living in Australia, 62 per cent more than at 30 June 2006. This is equivalent to 1.6 per cent of Australia’s overseas born population and 0.4 per cent of Australia’s total population. For Australia’s Korean-born migrants: - The median age of 30.0 years was seven years below that of the general population. - Females slightly outnumbered males—52 per cent compared with 48 per cent. - In August 2013, 42 000 Korea-born people were working in Australia. Their main occupations were labourers (20 per cent) and technicians and trades workers (19 per cent). - The unemployment rate at August 2013 was 6.4 per cent—this well above the national rate of 5.8 per cent. - Their labour force participation rate at August 2013 was low at 61 per cent compared to the national average of 65 per cent. 3. Permanent migration Permanent additions to the Australian population Permanent additions are the sum of those granted a permanent residency visa while in Australia, and those granted a visa through an Australian mission abroad, who have entered Australia during the respective reporting period. In 2012–13, there were 5497 South Korean-born permanent additions to the Australian resident population. Among these new additions the: - Skill Stream comprised 1959 skilled migrants and 1793 accompanying family members and accounted for 68 per cent of all permanent additions. - Family Stream comprised 1316 migrants and accounted for 24 per cent of all permanent additions. - Non-programme migration of South Korean-born New Zealand citizens and Special Eligibility entrants accounted for 7.4 per cent of permanent additions.
Permanent migration visas granted Table 2 & 4 Permanent migration refers to the number of visas granted in any given year, without taking into account whether the visa recipient actually arrived and settled in Australia. A total of 5258 South Korean nationals were granted a permanent visa through the Migration Programme in 2012–13, with the Skill Stream accounting for 75 per cent of the visas granted. Skilled migration Skilled migration focuses on facilitating the permanent entry of those who can make a positive contribution to Australia through their skills, qualifications, entrepreneurial spirit and employment potential. In 2012–13: - 128 973 skilled visas were granted, with grants to South Korean nationals accounting for 3.0 per cent (3933 grants) of the total. This made South Korea the ninth largest provider of Skill stream migrants to Australia in 2012–13. - Skilled migration remained the main route for South Korean nationals seeking permanent residency in Australia with the Skill Stream accounting for 75 per cent of all permanent visas granted to South Korean nationals. - The number of South Korean nationals coming through the Skill Stream grew by 7.2 per cent, larger than the 2.6 per cent growth in the total number of permanent Skill Stream entrants. - The number of South Korean nationals entering on Points Tested Skilled Migration visas rose by 14 per cent. Most of this rise can be attributed to a 30 per cent increase in Skilled Independent visas in 2012–13. Cooks, registered nurses and hairdressers were the main occupations among these skilled migrants. - There continued to be substantial growth (215 grants) in the number of Employer Sponsored visas granted to Korean nationals – 12 per cent up on 2011–12. Employer Sponsorship represented 53 per cent of Korean skilled visas in 2012–13, well up on its 35 per cent share in 2009–10. Family migration Family migration facilitates the entry of close family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens. The programme is currently dominated by Partners and dependent children, but also provides options for other family members, such as Carers, Parents and Aged Dependent Relatives. - In 2012–13, 60 185 Family visas were granted, with grants to South Korean nationals accounting for 2.1 per cent (1263 grants) of the total. Among the South Korean cohort, the largest proportions were granted to the partners of Australian residents, making up 81 per cent of the family visas granted. - In 2012–13, 24 per cent of permanent visas granted to South Korean nationals were through the Family Stream.
4. Temporary entry Temporary entry visas granted Table 3 & 4 In 2012–13, 213 684 temporary entry visas granted to South Korean nationals, with visitors accounting for 76 per cent of the visas granted. International students The Student visa programme consists of a range of visa categories that broadly correspond to education sectors. Students must study with an education provider and in a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. In 2012–13, 259 278 visas were granted to international students. This was a 2.5 per cent increase on the previous year, but still 18.9 per cent below the record 319 632 visas granted in 2008–09. The decreases in Student visa numbers in 2009–10 and 2010–11 followed 11 consecutive years of growth in the visa programme and coincided with a number of factors. These factors included: on-going global financial uncertainty; college closures; the rising value of the Australian dollar; changes to improve the integrity of the programme; and reforms to the Skilled Migration programme. A consequence of this low level is that the stock of international students continued to fall. At 30 June 2013 there were 304 230 international students in Australia, 21 per cent lower than 30 June 2010. - As at 30 June 2013, 16 090 South Korean Student visa holders were in Australia, a 4.6 per cent fall on the previous year. South Korean students represent 5.3 per cent of all international students in Australia, making South Korea the fourth largest source of international students to Australia, behind China, India and Vietnam. - After the United States of America, Japan and Canada, Australia is the fourth most popular tertiary study destination for international students originating from South Korea. In 2011, 5.7 per cent of all South Korean international tertiary students chose Australia. - In 2012–13, 12 942 Student visas were granted to South Koreans, representing a 4.3 per cent rise (535 persons) on the previous year. This is above the 2.5 per cent increase in total student visas over the same period. - Grants to students enrolling in a higher education course accounted for 28 per cent of grants, while a further 43 per cent of visas were granted to those intending on pursuing a Vocational Education and Training course.
Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) workers The subclass 457 visa programme allows Australian employers to sponsor foreign workers for employment in management, professional, technical and skilled trades’ positions. The programme is demand-driven and highly responsive to Australian labour market conditions. In 2012–13 demand for this visa remained high with grants increasing from 125 070 in 2011–12 to 126 350 – an 86 per cent rise since 2009–10. - Grants to South Korean nationals grew by 56 per cent—from 1810 grants in 2011–12 to 2820 grants in 2012–13. - The main occupations of Korean workers sponsored under this programme were: cooks, contract, programme and project administrators and café and restaurant managers. Visitors In 2012–13, 162 702 Visitor visas were granted to South Korean citizens, making South Korea the seventh largest source of visitors to Australia in this period. The vast majority of temporary entrants from South Korea were visitors here for a holiday or short business visit. Working Holiday Maker Programme Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday visa arrangements with many countries, including South Korea. Working Holiday visa holders who have completed specified work in an eligible regional Australian area for a minimum of three months while on their first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa may be eligible for a second Working Holiday visa. - Working Holiday visa arrangements with South Korea started on 1 July 1995, and in 2012–13 represented Australia’s second largest source of initial working holiday makers after the United Kingdom with 29 614 new visas granted – a rise of 8.1 per cent since 2011−12. Additionally, 5606 second Working Holiday visas were granted to Korean nationals in 2012–13. - While South Korea is a major provider of working holiday makers to Australia, the number of South Korean nationals coming through this programme fluctuated in recent years, falling 12 per cent between 2009−10 and 2010−11 before rising by 15 per cent over the next two financial years.
5. Permanent departures Table 5 In 2012–13, 898 South Korea-born permanent residents indicated at departure that they were leaving Australia permanently, with 69 per cent indicating they intended to return to South Korea. Of these emigrants: - approximately 17 per cent were professionals and another 15 per cent mangers. - 64 per cent were emigrating from New South Wales. 6. State and territory summary Table 5 New South Wales was the most popular state of residence for Koreans in Australia. At the time of the 2011 Census 56 per cent of South Korea-born migrants lived in New South Wales, well ahead of Queensland and Victoria with 17 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. New South Wales was also a popular destination for new migrants, accounting for 40 per cent of skilled migrants and 49 per cent of family migrants in 2012–13. South Korean students also showed a preference for New South Wales, with 43 per cent enrolled in an academic institution based in that state, while 47 per cent of subclass 457 visa workers were sponsored for employment in New South Wales.
Explanatory notes I. Unemployment rates for individual migrant countries are calculated from the monthly Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force survey (using published and unpublished data) and have been averaged across twelve months to account for monthly fluctuations and a small sample size. The national unemployment rate is the seasonally adjusted figure for August 2013. II. Australian residents are Australian citizens who reside in Australia and other permanent residents. III. Points Tested Skilled Migration is the sum of total Skilled Regional, Skilled Independent and State/Territory Nominated visas. IV. Emigration is the number of persons who reported on their overseas departure card that they were leaving Australia permanently. Further reading This country profile was prepared using information and statistics collated by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and commentary extracted from the following publications: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade See: Country, economy and regional information Department of Immigration and Border Protection See: Community Information Summaries International Monetary Fund See: Country Information Central Intelligence Agency See: World Fact Book Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) See: Education at a Glance 2013: OECD Indicators United Nations Development Programme See: Human Development Report 2013 World Bank See: The Migration and Remittances Fact book 2011
Statistical tables – South Korea Table 1: Economic and Human Development Indicators, 2013 Indicator Australia South Korea Adult literacy (%) 99.0 97.9 Fertility rates (children per female) 1.9 1.4 GDP per capita PPP (current international $) 44 074 33 580 Life expectancy at birth (years) 82 80.7 Mean years of schooling 12.0 11.6 Human Development Index 0.938 0.909 Median age (years) 36.9 37.9 Population (millions) 22.9 48.6 Population growth (%) 1.8 0.5 Source: Most data in this table comes from the UNDP Human Development Report 2013, the CIA World Fact book and, the International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database April 2013. Data on the size, growth and median age of Australia’s population was sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Table 2: Number of persons (South Korean nationals) granted a permanent Australian visa, 2009−10 to 2012−13 Permanent visa 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 Skilled migration Business Innovation and Investment 458 641 310 159 Distinguished Talent 13 2 19 11 Employer Sponsored 1 102 1 309 1 858 2 073 Points Tested Skilled Migration Skilled Regional 51 211 223 204 Skilled Independent 991 688 986 1 280 State/Territory Nominated 535 431 274 206 Total: Skilled visa grants 3 150 3 282 3 670 3 933 Skilled visas as a proportion of all permanent visas (%) 72.4 75.9 75.3 74.8 Family migration Child 84 74 80 58 Partner 880 792 845 1 025 Parent 192 118 135 158 Other Family 21 32 48 22 Total: Family visa grants 1 177 1 016 1 108 1 263 Family visas as a proportion of all permanent visas (%) 27.1 23.5 22.7 24.0 Special Eligibility 23 28 96 62 Total: Permanent migrants 4 350 4 326 4 874 5 258 Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Table 3: Number of persons (South Korean nationals) granted a temporary Australian visa, 2009−10 to 2012−13 Temporary visa 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 International Students English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students 3 957 2 707 2 159 2 666 Schools 1 409 954 749 657 Vocational Education and Training 5 246 4 357 4 588 5 595 Higher Education 5 343 4 858 4 473 3 641 Postgraduate Research 152 101 118 97 Non-Award 307 261 320 284 AusAID/Defence 2 0 0 2 Total: International Student visa grants 16 416 13 238 12 407 12 942 Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) 800 1 120 1 810 2 820 Visitors Tourist 156 465 165 106 156 636 148 018 Business visitor 7 978 12 342 12 009 14 669 Medical Treatment 26 16 18 15 Total: Visitor visa grants 164 469 177 464 168 663 162 702 Working Holiday Maker Programme Initial 28 280 25 433 27 397 29 614 Extension 6 583 5 094 5 194 5 606 Total: Working Holiday visa grants 34 863 30 527 32 591 35 220 Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Table 4: Main occupations among those South Korean nationals granted a permanent − unsponsored (Points Tested) or temporary work − sponsored (subclass 457) visa, 2011−12 to 2012−13 Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) Points Tested Skilled Migration Cooks 140 Cooks 360 Contract, programme and project administrators 130 Registered nurses 110 Cafe and restaurant managers 90 Hairdressers 100 Advertising and marketing professionals 90 Accountants 90 2012–13 Structural steel and welding trades workers 60 Bakers and pastrycooks 60 Chefs 50 Software and applications programmers 40 Call or contact centre and customer service 50 Pharmacists 20 managers Welfare, recreation and community arts Retail managers 40 10 workers Advertising, public relations and sales managers 40 Civil engineering professionals 10 Civil engineering professionals 40 Dental practitioners 10 Cooks 100 Cooks 220 Advertising and marketing professionals 80 Accountants 100 Structural steel and welding trades workers 60 Bakers and pastrycooks 80 Contract, programme and project administrators 50 Hairdressers 70 2011–12 Wall and floor tilers 40 Registered nurses 70 Dental hygienists, technicians and therapists 30 Software and applications programmers 60 Chefs 30 Motor mechanics 20 Registered nurses 30 ICT business and systems analysts 20 Dental hygienists, technicians and Motor mechanics 20 10 therapists Industrial, mechanical and production University lecturers and tutors 20 10 engineers Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection Table 5: National geographical distribution, by South Korean-born and South Korean nationals National geographic distribution NSW Vic. Qld SA WA Tas. NT ACT Per cent Proportion of all persons counted in the Census, 2011 32 25 20 7 10 2 1 2 Proportion of all South Korean-born counted in the 56 14 17 5 5 1 0 2 Census, 2011 Geographical distribution, permanent additions, 2012−13 Skill Stream (primary) 40 11 23 6 13 1 1 5 Skill Stream (dependent) 43 13 19 6 13 1 1 4 Family Stream 49 15 19 5 9 1 1 2 Geographical distribution, temporary entrants, 2012−13 International students 43 17 24 5 5 1 0 4 Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa (primary) 47 16 14 1 19 0 0 2 Permanent departures All South Korean-born permanent residents 64 8 18 3 5 1 0 3 Source: Information on migrants has come from internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Information on the geographical distribution of the total population was sourced from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing.
Table 6: South Korea’s migration ranking relative to other countries Migration ranking 2011–12 2012–13 Population in Australia 14 12 Points Tested Skilled Migration 12 11 Employer Sponsored 7 7 Total Skill Stream 9 9 Total Family Stream 8 8 International students 3 3 Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa 13 8 Visitors 6 7 Source: All information refers to the number of visas granted that year and was sourced from internal data collected by the D epartment of Immigration and Border Protection, except for population in Australia which is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and refers to the stock of overseas-born persons in Australia at the time. Produced by the Economic Analysis Unit Department of Immigration and Border Protection © Commonwealth of Australia, 2013 ABN: 33 380 054 835
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