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South Korea's research labs see record rise in female scientists

From 7.8% to 13.3% in leadership—how South Korea's labs are quietly rewriting the rules for women in science. The numbers tell a story of slow but steady change.

The image shows a graph depicting the number of grants by gender gap focus over time. The graph is...
The image shows a graph depicting the number of grants by gender gap focus over time. The graph is accompanied by text that provides further information about the data.

South Korea's research labs see record rise in female scientists

Women now represent nearly a third of new hires at South Korean research institutes. In 2024, figures show 6,616 out of 20,739 new positions went to female researchers. This marks a steady rise over the past decade in gender representation.

The share of women in new research roles reached 32 percent last year. Across 5,138 institutions, hiring trends reflect a gradual increase in female participation. Data confirms this upward movement since 2015.

Leadership roles have also seen progress. Women now hold 13.3 percent of lead scientist positions in 2024. Back in 2015, that figure stood at just 7.8 percent. While exact numbers for top institutes remain unclear, the overall trend points to growing representation.

The latest figures highlight a clear shift in South Korea's research sector. More women are entering the field, both in general roles and leadership positions. The data suggests continued growth in gender diversity among scientists.

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