Korea Unemployment Benefit Calculator

Last updated: 2026-06-25

TL;DR

The daily unemployment benefit (job-seeking allowance) is 60% of your average wage before departure, with a daily cap of 66,000 KRW and a floor (minimum wage 80% × 8 hours).

The total is the daily amount × benefit days (120-270 days depending on age and insurance period).

Enter unemployment benefit details

KRW
Average daily wage = total wages of last 3 months / days in that period.

A reference estimate; actual eligibility and payment are decided by the employment center review. Confirm the exact figure at Employment Insurance.

How to use

  1. Enter average wage — Enter your average daily wage from the last 3 months, in won.
  2. Select age and insurance period — Select your age at departure (under 50 / 50 or over) and your employment insurance period.
  3. View the result — The daily job-seeking allowance (with cap and floor), benefit days and total expected amount are shown.

How unemployment benefits and benefit days work

The daily unemployment benefit (job-seeking allowance) is 60% of your average wage before departure, subject to a daily cap (66,000 KRW) and a floor (minimum wage x 80% x 8 hours). So even with a very high average wage the daily amount cannot exceed the cap, and even with a very low one it cannot fall below the floor. The total is daily job-seeking allowance × benefit days.

Benefit days by age and employment insurance period
Insurance periodUnder 5050+ / disabled
Under 1 year120 days120 days
1 - under 3 years150 days180 days
3 - under 5 years180 days210 days
5 - under 10 years210 days240 days
10 years or more240 days270 days

For example, if your average daily wage is 100,000 KRW, 60% is 60,000 KRW, within the cap (66,000 KRW), so the daily amount is 60,000 KRW. For someone under 50 with 2 years of employment insurance, the benefit days are 150, giving an estimated total of about 9M KRW. Check your average wage with the Severance Pay Calculator, and your post-reemployment hourly wage and holiday allowance with the Hourly Wage Calculator.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How is the daily unemployment benefit calculated?

The daily job-seeking allowance is 60% of your average wage before departure. However, it cannot exceed the daily cap of 66,000 KRW and cannot be less than the floor (minimum wage x 80% x 8 hours).

How are the benefit days determined?

Benefit days range from 120 to 270 depending on your age at departure and employment insurance period. Those under 50 receive up to 240 days, while those 50 or over and people with disabilities receive up to 270 days.

What are the cap and floor amounts?

As of 2025 the daily cap is 66,000 KRW and the floor is the minimum wage times 80% times 8 hours. These change each year, so check the latest figures.

Can anyone receive unemployment benefits?

An employment-insured worker who leaves involuntarily, has at least 180 insured days in the 18 months before leaving, and actively seeks reemployment can qualify. Voluntary resignation is generally excluded.

Is this result exact?

This is an estimate based on average wage, age and insurance period. The actual payment and eligibility are determined by the employment center review, so confirm the exact figure on the Employment Insurance website.

Last updated: 2026-06-25