How much unemployment benefit will I get
The daily benefit is 60% of your pre-departure average wage, bounded by a minimum-wage-based floor and a 113,500 KRW cap. At 8 scheduled hours a day in 2026, the cap (68,100 KRW) and the floor (66,048 KRW) differ by only 2,052 KRW — so most full-time workers land in a narrow 66,048-68,100 KRW daily range almost regardless of how much they earned.
The number of paid days runs from 120 to 270, set by your age on the day you left and your total insured period. The same insured period pays more days once you're 50 or older, or registered as having a disability.
7-day waiting period
No benefit is paid for the first 7 days after you report as unemployed (construction day laborers are exempt). Your first actual payment arrives this much later.
This calculator does not judge eligibility
It only estimates the amount assuming you qualify. Actual eligibility requires separate conditions — at least 180 insured days within the 18 months before leaving, an involuntary separation, and active job-seeking effort — and the final decision is made by your local Employment Center.
The cap (113,500 KRW) and minimum wage (10,320 KRW) above are 2026 figures. Minimum wage changes every year, so the floor amount changes too. For an exact figure, use the official simulator on Korea's Employment Insurance site or check with your Employment Center.
How much unemployment benefit will I get
Korea's daily job-seeking benefit is 60% of your pre-departure average wage, bounded by a minimum-wage-based floor and a 113,500 KRW cap. At a 3,000,000 KRW monthly average wage and 8 scheduled hours a day, you'd get 66,048 KRW a day (the floor).
Calculation steps
- Enter your wage for the 3 months before leaving (monthly average or 3-month total).
- Enter your age on the day you left and your scheduled daily working hours (default 8).
- Enter your employment insurance insured period in years or months.
- The calculator compares 60% of your average wage against the statutory minimum daily benefit (scheduled hours x minimum wage x 80%) and uses whichever is higher — but the base daily wage itself is capped at 113,500 KRW.
- That daily benefit is multiplied by your paid benefit days (120-270, by age and insured period) for the total estimate.
Formula
daily benefit = max(min(average wage, 113,500 KRW) x 60%, scheduled daily hours x minimum wage x 80%)
- average wage (base daily wage) = total wages in the 3 months before leaving / days in that period (this calculator approximates the period as 91 days)
- minimum base daily wage = scheduled daily hours x the minimum hourly wage on your departure date (10,320 KRW in 2026)
- base daily wage cap = 113,500 KRW (Enforcement Decree of the Employment Insurance Act, Art. 68(1), effective 2026-07-01)
Paid benefit days (Employment Insurance Act, Schedule 1)
| Insured period | Under 50 | 50+ or registered disability |
|---|
| Under 1 year | 120 days | 120 days |
| 1 to under 3 years | 150 days | 180 days |
| 3 to under 5 years | 180 days | 210 days |
| 5 to under 10 years | 210 days | 240 days |
| 10+ years | 240 days | 270 days |
Example calculations
| Scenario | Daily benefit | Paid days | Total estimated payout |
|---|
| 3,000,000 KRW/mo, age 35, 2 yrs insured (8h) | 66,048 KRW | 150 days | 9,907,200 KRW |
| 5,000,000 KRW/mo, age 45, 4 yrs insured (8h) | 68,100 KRW (cap) | 180 days | 12,258,000 KRW |
| 2,500,000 KRW/mo, age 52, 6 yrs insured (8h) | 66,048 KRW | 240 days | 15,851,520 KRW |
| 3,500,000 KRW/mo, age 29, 8 mo insured (8h) | 68,100 KRW (cap) | 120 days | 8,172,000 KRW |
| 2,000,000 KRW/mo, age 33, 2 yrs insured (6h) | 49,536 KRW | 150 days | 7,430,400 KRW |
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher salary mean a higher benefit?
Only up to a point. Once the base daily wage hits the 113,500 KRW cap, higher wages don't add anything. At 8 scheduled hours a day in 2026 the cap works out to 68,100 KRW a day, no matter how high your salary was.
When does payment start?
No benefit is paid for the first 7 days after you report as unemployed — this waiting period applies to everyone except construction day laborers. Payment starts after that, once you complete the required procedures including job-seeking activity.
How long do payments last?
For your full paid benefit days, which run from 120 to 270 depending on your age on the day you left and your total insured period.
Does the floor amount change when minimum wage changes?
Yes. The minimum daily benefit is tied to minimum wage, so it rises whenever minimum wage rises. The 10,320 KRW hourly rate used here is the 2026 figure.
If this calculator gives me a number, am I guaranteed to receive it?
No. This tool only estimates the amount assuming you qualify. Actual eligibility — at least 180 insured days within the 18 months before leaving, involuntary separation, and more — is judged separately by your Employment Center.
This calculator estimates the amount assuming you qualify; it does not determine actual eligibility (at least 180 insured days within 18 months, involuntary separation, active job-seeking effort, and more), which is decided by your local Employment Center. It approximates the 3-month wage period as 91 days and does not compare average wage against ordinary wage. The cap (113,500 KRW) and minimum wage (10,320 KRW) are 2026 figures and change every year. For an exact figure, use the official simulator on Korea's Employment Insurance site or check with your Employment Center.
Sources: Employment Insurance Act (Korea), Enforcement Decree of the Employment Insurance Act, 2026 Minimum Wage Notice (Ministry of Employment and Labor)