In 2025, the total population of South Korea is projected to be around 51.68 million. In thirty years, the number of people aged 15 to 64 is estimated to decrease by one-third, while the number of older adults is anticipated to more than double. Additionally, the overall population is expected to decline by around six million people by that time. Declining birth rate Several factors are contributing to the expected demographic changes in South Korea. Firstly, the birth rate has been declining for years. As of 2024, South Korea had the lowest fertility rate in the world. This trend continues despite the efforts of successive governments to encourage young people to have children. An increasing number of South Korean women are prioritizing their careers, often choosing to focus on work rather than starting a family at a young age. While the employment rate for South Korean women is still lower than that of men, it has steadily risen over the past decade. Increase in life expectancy Secondly, life expectancy in South Korea has steadily increased due to improved living standards and healthcare. The average life expectancy at birth for South Koreans has risen from less than 75 years to almost 83 years over the past twenty years. As a result, the proportion of people aged 65 and older has grown from less than 11 percent to around 18 percent in the last decade.

In 2025, South Korea's male population is projected to reach about 25.84 million, while the female population is estimated at 25.85 million. In the long term, South Korea's population is expected to decline, reaching about 36.22 million in 2072.

The statistic shows the total population of South Korea from 2019 to 2023, with projections up until 2029. In 2023, the total population of South Korea was about 51.71 million people. Population of South Korea South Korea, also called Republic of Korea, has one of the highest population densities worldwide, i.e. a very high number of inhabitants per square kilometer. However, this does not equal bad standard of living; on the Human Development Index, which ranks countries by their level of living standards using key factors, such as unemployment rate, literacy rate, fertility and mortality rates, etc., South Korea is among the highest-ranked countries. When looking at the aforementioned key factors, South Korea indeed seems to offer a fairly stable environment for its inhabitants, economically and demographically: The country’s unemployment rate has been relatively steady for the past decade, its gross domestic product (GDP) is constantly increasing, and it is among the countries with the highest trade surplus worldwide. As for standard of living, life expectancy at birth in South Korea is among the highest worldwide – South Korea is even mentioned in a recent ranking of the best birthplaces for children. Despite the high population density, South Korea is now one of the countries with the lowest fertility rates, i.e. the number of babies born by women of childbearing age. This apparent discrepancy could be explained by a high number of immigrants coupled with the aforementioned high life expectancy.

Chart and table of North Korea population density from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

The total population in South Korea was estimated at 51.8 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - South Korea Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Population ages 60-64, female (% of female population) in South Korea was reported at 8.2317 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 50-64, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

The total population of South Korea was estimated to reach around 51.7 million in 2025. While South Korea's population has increased since the 1960s, it is expected to fall to about 36 million by 2072.

Population, male in North Korea was reported at 13058006 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Chart and table of Southkorea population from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

Population ages 0-14, male in South Korea was reported at 2912580 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population, ages 0-14, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Key information about South Korea population

• The South Korea population reached 51.8 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 51.7 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 51.8 million people in Dec 2020 and a record low of 20.7 million people in Dec 1956

• In the latest reports, South Korea Unemployment Rate increased to 3.7 % in Dec 2024
• Monthly earnings of the South Korea population was 2,878.8 USD in Oct 2024
• South Korea Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 63.9 % in Dec 2024

Population of compulsory school age, female (number) in South Korea was reported at 1995088 Persons in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population of compulsory school age, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Chart and table of Korea Rep population from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

Population ages 0-14, female (% of female population) in South Korea was reported at 10.66 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 0-14, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

There were 4 709 000 Linkedin users in Republic of Korea in January 2025, which accounted for 9% of its entire population. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (2 600 000).

South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data was reported at 42,010,872.566 Person in 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 42,025,890.729 Person for 2025. South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data is updated yearly, averaging 32,663,722.033 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2026, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42,057,808.031 Person in 2024 and a record low of 14,586,439.479 Person in 1960. South Korea Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.OECD.EO: Labour Force: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual. POP1574 - Working-age population, age 15-74 Population data are based on data reported to the OECD Statistics Directorate by member countries via an annual national accounts questionnaire. For the projection period, series are extended using Eurostat projections (EUROPOP2023) for European countries, and United Nations (WPP2022) for other countries. The data is further adjusted by the OECD.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: From 25 to 54 Years for Korea (LFWA25TTKRM647S) from Jun 1999 to Jan 2025 about 25 to 54 years, working-age, Korea, and population.

As of February 2025, online video giant YouTube had a total potential advertising reach of around 84 percent of the total population in South Korea. This put them far ahead of other social media platforms' potential ad reach, with Instagram coming in second at about 46 percent of the population.

In 2024, the population of South Korea was estimated to be about 51.75 million. The population of North Korea was approximately 25.87 million, which is roughly half the population of South Korea. Economic comparison between South and North Korea Following the Korean War (1950-1953), South Korea and North Korea pursued vastly different trajectories, not only politically but also economically. South Korea embraced capitalism and free market principles, which fueled its rapid economic growth and transformed it into one of the world's leading economies. In contrast, North Korea adopted a state-controlled, centrally planned economy, leading to isolation and economic stagnation. While South Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) reached around 2,401 trillion South Korean won in 2023, only about 40 trillion won was recorded for North Korea. Food crisis in North Korea North Korea has faced food insecurity for a long time, and this has been exacerbated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was estimated that the country had a food shortage of around 860,000 metric tons in 2023. Although the North Korean government maintains a centrally planned economic system, food distribution has long been a problem, as an increasing number of North Korean defectors have reported that they have never received food from North Korean authorities.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Cheonan, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025. United Nations population projections are also included through the year 2035.