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Living in 포항시

포항시, a city in South Korea, had a population of 487,008 in June 2026. For 포항시, the unemployment rate was 2.4% at the end of 2025.

Which South Korea-wide rules apply when you move to 포항시?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in South KoreaNational rates and thresholds that apply in 포항시.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

No city-level rent figure is published for 포항시. The available city-level cost figures remain below.

What recurs every month3 published recurring costs, € per month
포항시 recurring monthly costs, € per month€479Private kindergarten€93Utilities, 85 m² flat€24Internet, 60 Mbps€ / month

Supplemental estimate lane; these items are not official statistics.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited24.34 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v212Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Private kindergarten, monthly478.8 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v212Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant5.08 EUR31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v212Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Basic utilities, 85 m² home92.97 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v212Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context

Work and income

What is the unemployment rate in 포항시?

The unemployment rate is 2.4 % (2025). Source: 2025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey — municipal key employment indicators2

Unemployment across cities in South KoreaUnemployment in 포항시 is 2.4%. Of 218 cities with data, 34 have unemployment of 0.5 to under 1%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in South Korea per band13 cities: 0% to under 0.5%130–0.534 cities: 0.5% to under 1%340.5–116 cities: 1% to under 1.5%161–1.520 cities: 1.5% to under 2%201.5–215 cities: 2% to under 2.5%152–2.5포항시 2.4%27 cities: 2.5% to under 3%272.5–327 cities: 3% to under 3.5%273–3.532 cities: 3.5% to under 4%323.5–418 cities: 4% to under 4.5%184–4.511 cities: 4.5% to under 5%114.5–53 cities: 5% to under 5.5%35–5.52 cities: 5.5% to under 6%25.5–6

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Unemployment rate2.4 %country median 2.7%31 Dec 20252025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey — municipal key employment indicators2Official

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to 포항시. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Work24 public employment service — Public employment service

Ministry of Employment and Labor, Republic of Korea

Job Search
Search jobs
Open the South Korea service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in 포항시. Sources checked through 10 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
School Count0 schools21 Jul 2026Schoolinfo official open-data callback response10Official

Healthcare

MetricValuePeriodSource
Doctors per 1,000 residents2.8 per 1,00031 Dec 2024KOSIS e-RegionIndex doctors per 1,000, 20243Official
Hospital Beds Per 100k1,950 beds per 100,00031 Dec 2024KOSIS e-RegionIndex hospital beds per 1,000, 20244Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in 포항시 under the national coverage rules.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Doctors per 1,000 residents2.8 per 1,000Verified 2026-07-22
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

Language courses and integration

No exact city-level course record is currently published for 포항시. These verified national programmes may still apply; use the official programme page to check local availability.

Country-level information

Early Adaptation Program — Newcomer Adaptation

Ministry of Justice / Korea Immigration Service

For newly arrived foreign residents, international students, workers, marriage migrants.

KoreanIn Person
Open official information

Social Integration Program (KIIP) — Integration course

Ministry of Justice / Korea Immigration Service

For foreign residents in Korea, people within three years of naturalization.

KoreanIn Person, Online
Open official information
Open the full South Korea section
National programme information is not treated as proof of a course location in 포항시.

Climate and air quality

The annual mean temperature estimate was 15.3°C at the end of 2024. The annual precipitation estimate was 1,303 mm at the end of 2024. Annual PM2.5 was 18 µg/m³ at the end of 2024.

Is the air quality good in 포항시?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 18 µg/m³ (2024) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: 2024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations1

Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.

Temperature through the yearAverage daytime high and night-time low, °C
포항시 average monthly daytime high and night-time low temperature, °C-10°0°10°20°30°JFMAMJJASOND30°-1°Daytime highNight-time low
Rainfall through the yearAverage monthly precipitation, mm
포항시 average monthly precipitation, mm0601201802404037618185127201230189774026JFMAMJJASONDmm
Sunshine through the yearAverage monthly sunshine, hours
포항시 average monthly sunshine, hours060120180240191185204219231189169179161200185191JFMAMJJASONDhours
Air quality vs health guidelinesAnnual means against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limits
포항시 annual air pollutant levels against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limitsCity valueWHO guidelineEU limit52518.0PM2.5154037.0PM10µg/m³

City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.

PM2.5 across cities in South KoreaAnnual PM2.5 in 포항시 is 18.0 µg/m³. Of 234 cities with data, 46 have annual PM2.5 of 17 to under 18 µg/m³.
annual PM2.5, µg/m³ · measured cities in South Korea per band3 cities: 9 µg/m³ to under 10 µg/m³39–105 cities: 10 µg/m³ to under 11 µg/m³510–116 cities: 11 µg/m³ to under 12 µg/m³611–1217 cities: 12 µg/m³ to under 13 µg/m³1712–1332 cities: 13 µg/m³ to under 14 µg/m³3213–1425 cities: 14 µg/m³ to under 15 µg/m³2514–1527 cities: 15 µg/m³ to under 16 µg/m³2715–1624 cities: 16 µg/m³ to under 17 µg/m³2416–1746 cities: 17 µg/m³ to under 18 µg/m³4617–1828 cities: 18 µg/m³ to under 19 µg/m³2818–19포항시 18.09 cities: 19 µg/m³ to under 20 µg/m³919–207 cities: 20 µg/m³ to under 21 µg/m³720–214 cities: 21 µg/m³ to under 22 µg/m³421–221 city: 22 µg/m³ to under 23 µg/m³122–23

Annual PM2.5 (µg/m³)

MetricValuePeriodSource
PM10 — annual mean37 µg/m³country median 30.031 Dec 20242024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations1Official
PM2.5 — annual mean18 µg/m³country median 16.031 Dec 20242024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations1Official
Average daytime high by monthJan 6.7 · Feb 9 · Mar 13.3 · Apr 19.1 · May 23.5 · Jun 25.8 · Jul 29 · Aug 29.5 · Sep 25.5 · Oct 21.4 · Nov 15.4 · Dec 8.9 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv11Official · nearest-station reading
Average night-time low by monthJan -1.5 · Feb 0.2 · Mar 4.2 · Apr 9.6 · May 14.4 · Jun 18.6 · Jul 22.5 · Aug 23.3 · Sep 18.9 · Oct 13.1 · Nov 6.6 · Dec 0.5 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv11Official · nearest-station reading
Average temperature by monthJan 2.2 · Feb 4.3 · Mar 8.5 · Apr 14.1 · May 18.6 · Jun 21.8 · Jul 25.4 · Aug 26 · Sep 22 · Oct 16.9 · Nov 10.6 · Dec 4.3 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv11Official · nearest-station reading
Average precipitation by monthJan 39.8 · Feb 36.5 · Mar 60.5 · Apr 81.2 · May 84.6 · Jun 126.8 · Jul 200.6 · Aug 230.2 · Sep 189.3 · Oct 76.7 · Nov 40.1 · Dec 26.1 mm1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv11Official · nearest-station reading
Average sunshine by monthJan 191.4 · Feb 185.1 · Mar 203.8 · Apr 219.3 · May 230.9 · Jun 189.2 · Jul 168.5 · Aug 178.5 · Sep 160.9 · Oct 199.7 · Nov 185 · Dec 191.2 hours1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv11Official · nearest-station reading
Annual mean temperature15.32 °C31 Dec 2024NASA POWER 2024 daily point climate observation for South Korea municipalities7Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context
Precipitation Annual Mm1,303 mm31 Dec 2024NASA POWER 2024 daily point climate observation for South Korea municipalities7Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context

Cities of a similar size in South Korea

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All South Korea cities
부평구488,191 residents제주시484,123 residents김포시484,042 residents덕양구483,048 residents노원구481,053 residents남동구479,149 residents

Population and city profile

The city covered 1,130.1 km² in 2020. Population density was 435 people per km² in 2024.

How many people live in 포항시?

The published population was 487,008 people in June 2026. Source: MOIS resident registration population by si/gun/gu, June 20265

Who lives hereResidents by nationality, % of population
포항시 residents by nationalityBy nationalityNational passport98.4%Foreign residents 1.6%

Calculated from the population and foreign-resident facts on this page.

MetricValuePeriodSource
City area1,130 km²2020Official KOSIS visual statistics, Korea City Statistics, regional area; joined to the archived MOIS/KOSIS si-gun-gu code and name.8Official
Foreign residents7,821 people31 Mar 2026Registered foreigners by local government, March 20269Official
Population density435 people/km²31 Dec 2024Exact si-gun-gu density derived from archived official MOIS/KOSIS resident population and exact official KOSIS area row.8Official
Population Female240,326 people30 Jun 2026MOIS resident-registration population, sex and household counts by administrative area, June 20266Official
Population Male246,682 people30 Jun 2026MOIS resident-registration population, sex and household counts by administrative area, June 20266Official
Population487,008 people30 Jun 2026MOIS resident registration population by si/gun/gu, June 20265Official

Is 포항시 a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker58%strong on work, weak on safety · range 48–68%
Skilled employee64%strong on work, weak on safety · range 55–73%
Student41%strong on legal route, weak on safety · range 32–50%
Family47%strong on family, weak on safety · range 37–57%
Retirement46%strong on legal route, weak on admin · range 35–57%
Foreign residents7,821 people31 Mar 2026Official source · Registered foreigners by local government, March 2026
Population487,008 people30 Jun 2026Official source · MOIS resident registration population by si/gun/gu, June 2026
Unemployment rate2.4 %31 Dec 2025Official source · 2025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey — municipal key employment indicators
PM10 — annual mean37 µg/m³31 Dec 2024Official source · 2024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations
PM2.5 — annual mean18 µg/m³31 Dec 2024Official source · 2024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations
Annual mean temperature15.32 °C31 Dec 2024Official source · NASA POWER 2024 daily point climate observation for South Korea municipalities
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-07-31

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Households240,127 households30 Jun 2026MOIS resident-registration population, sex and household counts by administrative area, June 20266Official

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

How many people live in 포항시?

The published population was 487,008 people in June 2026. Source: MOIS resident registration population by si/gun/gu, June 2026.

Is the air quality good in 포항시?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 18 µg/m³ (2024) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: 2024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations.

What is the unemployment rate in 포항시?

The unemployment rate is 2.4 % (2025). Source: 2025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey — municipal key employment indicators.

How many foreign residents live in 포항시?

7,821 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: Registered foreigners by local government, March 2026.

Is 포항시 a good place to live?

포항시 may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). 포항시, South Korea: cost of living, jobs [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/kr/pohangsi/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_south-korea-cost-of-living-jobs_01f8335551e3,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {포항시, South Korea: cost of living, jobs},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/kr/pohangsi/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[포항시, South Korea: cost of living, jobs](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/kr/pohangsi/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. 2024 Air Environment Annual Report — Appendix 1.3 city annual concentrations 2024 Air Environment Annual Report · airkorea.or.kr · checked 2026-07-22
  2. 2025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey — municipal key employment indicators 2025 H2 Local Area Labour Force Survey · korea.kr · checked 2026-07-22
  3. KOSIS e-RegionIndex doctors per 1,000, 2024 kosis.kr · checked 2026-07-22
  4. KOSIS e-RegionIndex hospital beds per 1,000, 2024 kosis.kr · checked 2026-07-22
  5. MOIS resident registration population by si/gun/gu, June 2026 jumin.mois.go.kr · checked 2026-07-21
  6. MOIS resident-registration population, sex and household counts by administrative area, June 2026 jumin.mois.go.kr · checked 2026-07-22
  7. NASA POWER 2024 daily point climate observation for South Korea municipalities power.larc.nasa.gov · checked 2026-07-22
  8. Official KOSIS visual statistics, Korea City Statistics, regional area; joined to the archived MOIS/KOSIS si-gun-gu code and name. kosis.kr · checked 2026-07-15
  9. Registered foreigners by local government, March 2026 immigration.go.kr · checked 2026-07-21
  10. Schoolinfo official open-data callback response schoolinfo.go.kr · checked 2026-07-21
Show 2 more sources
  1. WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station Pohang_47138.csv WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 · ncei.noaa.gov · checked 2026-07-31
  2. Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v2 Global Cost of Living · kaggle.com · checked 2026-07-27

Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.