Foreign ownership of homes in South Korea surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 100,216 by the end of 2024—a 5.4% rise in six months—reflecting growing global interest in the country's real estate market.
Chinese nationals accounted for the majority of foreign-owned properties, holding 56,301 homes or 56.2% of the total. U.S. citizens followed with 22,031 units (22%), and Canadian nationals owned 6,315 units (6.3%). The ownership distribution suggests a strong concentration of foreign investment from a few key countries, particularly in metropolitan regions.
Geographically, the majority of foreign-owned homes are located in urban and suburban areas, with Gyeonggi Province accounting for 39.1% of the total. Seoul followed at 23.7%, and Incheon at 10%. This clustering reflects a preference for properties with strong infrastructure, employment access, and investment value.
While foreign-owned properties still represent a small portion of Korea’s overall housing stock, the continued rise may have longer-term implications for housing affordability and supply, especially in high-demand regions. The data also includes homes purchased by foreign nationals who have obtained residency in Korea, further blurring the line between domestic and international demand.
