In 2023, around **** million inhabitants were living in urban areas in South Korea. Urban areas refer to areas used for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. That year, about ** percent of South Korean citizens lived in urban areas.

Korea Rural Population data was reported at 9,519,703.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,448,683.000 Person for 2016. Korea Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 12,134,389.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,619,691.000 Person in 1966 and a record low of 8,942,697.000 Person in 2007. Korea Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

The share of urban population in South Korea amounted to 81.46 percent in 2023. Between 1960 and 2023, the share rose by 53.75 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Korea Urban Population Living in Areas Where Elevation is Below 5 meters: % of Total Population data was reported at 2.027 % in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.015 % for 2000. Korea Urban Population Living in Areas Where Elevation is Below 5 meters: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 2.027 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.091 % in 1990 and a record low of 2.015 % in 2000. Korea Urban Population Living in Areas Where Elevation is Below 5 meters: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Land Use, Protected Areas and National Wealth. Urban population below 5m is the percentage of the total population, living in areas where the elevation is 5 meters or less.; ; Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)/Columbia University. 2013. Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates Version 2. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/set/lecz-urban-rural-population-land-area-estimates-v2.; Weighted Average;

In 2023, there were almost ****** urban clinics and midwifery clinics operating in South Korea, while about ***** were operating in rural regions. New clinics of both types have opened up since 2017, though fewer new rural clinics have been established compared to urban areas.

Urban population in South Korea was reported at 42176083 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Urban population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Korea Rural Population Growth data was reported at 0.749 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.843 % for 2016. Korea Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging -0.815 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.963 % in 1960 and a record low of -5.297 % in 1990. Korea Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2023, there were around ******* inpatient care beds available in urban hospitals in South Korea, while about ******* were available in rural hospitals. The number of urban beds has mostly increased over the past few years, while the number of rural beds fluctuated before ultimately decreasing.

Urban population (% of total population) in South Korea was reported at 81.5 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Historical dataset showing South Korea urban population by year from 1960 to 2023.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Korea Population In The Largest City Percent Of Urban Population

In 2023, there were 3,528 urban hospitals operating in South Korea, while 706 were operating in rural regions. New hospitals of both types have opened up since 2017, though fewer new rural hospitals have been established compared to urban areas.

Korea Urban Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters: % of Total Land Area data was reported at 0.636 % in 2010. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.636 % for 2000. Korea Urban Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters: % of Total Land Area data is updated yearly, averaging 0.636 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.636 % in 2010 and a record low of 0.636 % in 2010. Korea Urban Land Area Where Elevation is Below 5 Meters: % of Total Land Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Land Use, Protected Areas and National Wealth. Urban land area below 5m is the percentage of total land where the urban land elevation is 5 meters or less.; ; Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)/Columbia University. 2013. Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates Version 2. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/set/lecz-urban-rural-population-land-area-estimates-v2.; Weighted Average;

Korea Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 81.503 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 81.562 % for 2016. Korea Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 71.268 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81.936 % in 2010 and a record low of 27.710 % in 1960. Korea Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2018, urban areas were home to ***** percent of the total South Korean population. While a shift to urban life has already been observed since before that, it is predicted that the population inhabiting urban areas in South Korea will reach up to ***** percent of the total South Korean population in 2050.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Korea Population In Urban Agglomerations Of More Than 1 Million Percent Of Total Population

Actual value and historical data chart for South Korea Population In Urban Agglomerations Of More Than 1 Million

This line chart displays urban population (people) by date using the aggregation sum in Korea. The data is about countries per year.

Urban population (% of total population) in North Korea was reported at 63.5 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.