South Korea land ownership data show 39% own land, Sejong leads foreign ownership rate

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport released the 2025‑year‑end land‑ownership statistics. Out of a resident population of 51.12 million, 20.12 million individuals (39.4%) own land, a 2.4 % increase from the previous year. The total land area held by private owners amounts to 4,46127 km², representing 45.9 % of the nation’s land, down 0.3 % from 2024.

The average landholding per household fell to 2,947 m², a decrease of 76 m². Owners in their 60s hold the largest share of land (30 %), followed by those in their 70s (22 %). Sejong City has the highest proportion of land owned by non‑resident (out‑of‑region) individuals at 59.5 %, with the next highest regions being Gangwon, North Gyeongsang, North Chungcheong and South Jeolla.

Corporate land holdings rose slightly to 7,463 km², an increase of 0.8 % year‑on‑year, with the largest portions in agricultural and forest areas. Non‑corporate entities such as religious and community groups own 7,823 km², also primarily in agricultural zones.