The 2025 Korea Entrepreneurship Survey, conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation, is the only nationally approved survey examining entrepreneurship in Korea. Since 2015, this survey has provided critical data on entrepreneurial orientation, capabilities, attitudes, and perceptions among individuals and businesses. The 2025 edition continues this tradition, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders. The survey aims to inform policy development and support the growth of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Korea.
The survey covers individuals aged 13 to 69 and approximately 5.8 million businesses nationwide, with valid samples from 12,168 individuals and 3,000 companies. It analyzes entrepreneurship by gender, age, industry, and business growth stage. Notably, both men and women scored 54.5 on the entrepreneurship index, and all age groups from teens to sixties showed similar results. Industry-wise, education services scored highest, while high-growth companies outperformed mature and declining firms.
Fieldwork was conducted via face-to-face interviews between November and December 2025. Compared to 2022, the individual entrepreneurship index rose slightly from 56.4 to 56.6, while the corporate index increased more markedly from 47.7 to 51.4. Improvements were observed in entrepreneurial capabilities, orientation, and especially in corporate performance and management environment. The results are available on the Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation website and, from March 3, 2026, on the national statistics portal.
Frequently asked questions include: What does the entrepreneurship index measure? It assesses entrepreneurial orientation, capabilities, attitudes, and perceptions. How can the results be accessed? The data is available online, including a new dashboard for easier use. What is the policy impact? The findings will inform future entrepreneurship policies and support programs.
The 2025 Korea Entrepreneurship Survey demonstrates measurable progress in Korea’s entrepreneurial landscape, with both individuals and companies showing improved indices. The significant gains in corporate performance and management environment reflect effective policy and organizational changes. The survey’s comprehensive demographic and sectoral analysis provides actionable insights for policymakers. Public access to the data through user-friendly platforms will further support informed policy development and stakeholder engagement.