International student graduates and their friends take a commemorative photo during the commencement ceremony at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, Feb. 14. Yonhap

The number of foreign residents in Korea reached a record high last year, accounting for more than 5 percent of the country's total population, justice ministry data showed Monday.

According to the Korea Immigration Service, a justice ministry agency, the number of foreigners living in Korea stood at 2.65 million, making up 5.17 percent of the total population. This marks an increase of 126,127 from the previous high in 2019 and surpasses the 4.89 percent level recorded in 2023.

Over the past decade, Korea has seen a steady rise in foreign residents, from 1.9 million in 2015 to 2.52 million in 2019. Although the numbers declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they rebounded in 2022 and have continued to rise since.

Among the foreign residents, 2.04 million, or 77 percent, were long-term residents who registered or reported their residence with the authorities, while 608,766 were short-term visitors.

By nationality, Chinese were the largest group, numbering 958,959, followed by Vietnamese with 305,936, Thais with 188,770, Americans with 170,251 and Uzbeks with 94,893.

Nearly half of foreign residents were in their 20s and 30s, while those in their 40s made up 15.9 percent. Foreign residents aged 60 and above stood at 12.9 percent, while those in their 50s represented 12.6 percent.

The number of international students has also surged, reaching 263,775 last year — up 16.5 percent from 226,507 in 2022. Among them, 178,519 were enrolled in degree programs, while 85,256 were attending Korean language courses.

The justice ministry emphasized the need to devise immigration policies to drive national growth by attracting and retaining skilled foreign workforce, including international students.

"We must create an environment where international students and essential foreign workers can settle in Korea and contribute to the country's economic growth," a ministry official said. "Securing public consensus is crucial to maintaining orderly residency policies and ensuring the integration of immigrants into society."