Educational Statistics

Trends in the Annual Changes of Special Education Students in Korea (2004~2024)

Author: Namgung Jee-yeong (Senior Researcher, KEDI)

 

Although the overall school-age population in Korea has been decreasing each year, the number of students receiving special education has continued to increase (55,374 in 2004 → 87,278 in 2014 → 115,610 in 2024). The following examines the trends in the number of special education students by disability type, school level, and school type (2004~2024), based on data from the Annual Report on Special Education (2008~2024) and Special Education Statistics (2004~2024).

■ Trends in Change of Special Education Students by Disability Type

Students with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities increased between 2004 and 2010~2012 but have shown a declining trend since then. Emotional and behavioral disorders have continuously decreased since 2006, and learning disabilities have also decreased steadily from 2004 to 2024. Intellectual disabilities, which account for the largest share of special education students, increased consistently from 31,705 in 2004 to 47,667 in 2014, and reached 57,883 in 2024. Autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay, which have been tracked since 2010, have shown significant growth up to 2024, while communication disorders have shown a slight increase since 2006. As of 2024, the distribution of special education students by disability type is: intellectual disability accounted for the largest share, with 57,883 (50.1%), followed by autism spectrum disorder with 22,194 (19.2%), developmental delay with 14,301 (12.4%), and physical disabilities with 9,263 (8.0%).

 

 

 

 

■ Trends in Change of Special Education Students by School Level

The number of infants with disabilities decreased from 680 in 2014 to 359 in 2022, but rose again to 470 in 2024. The number of preschool children in special education steadily increased from 3,225 in 2010 to 8,746 in 2024. In elementary schools, the number of special education students began to increase after 2014 (33,184), reaching 54,283 in 2024. Middle school enrollment grew from 11,326 in 2004 to 22,159 in 2014, then slightly declined before increasing again from 2018, reaching 25,013 in 2024. In high schools, the number rose from 2004 (10,207) to 2016 (23,943), but has declined since then. Post-secondary vocational programs also increased consistently until 2020 but have shown a decline thereafter.

 

 

 

 

■ Trends in Change of Special Education Students by School Type

By school type, in 2004, 28,002 students (50.6%) were enrolled in special classes within general schools, 23,762 students (42.9%) in special schools, and 3,610 students (6.5%) in general classrooms of general schools. By 2024, the distribution changed to 65,966 students (57.1%) in special classes within general schools, 30,390 students (26.3%) in special schools, and 19,254 students (16.7%) in general classrooms of general schools. Overall, the proportion of students in general schools has increased, while the proportion in special schools has declined.

 

 

 

 

                                                        

 

Ministry of Education (2008~2024). Annual Report on Special Education.

Ministry of Education (2004~2024). Special Education Statistics.