In 2024, about 170,251 U.S. citizens resided in South Korea, up from about 161,895 in the previous year. The number of U.S. citizens residing in South Korea has increased over the last few years.

This statistic shows the change in the United States' Korean population from 1980 to 2010. In 1980, there were 363,000 Korean-Americans (Korean immigrants and people with Korean heritage) living in the United States.

In 1800, it is estimated that approximately 9.4 million people lived in the region of modern-day South Korea (and 13.8 million on the entire peninsula). The population of this region would remain fairly constant through much of the 19th century, but would begin to grow gradually starting in the mid-1800s, as the fall of the Joseon dynasty and pressure from the U.S. and Japan would end centuries of Korean isolationism. Following the opening of the country to foreign trade, the Korean peninsula would begin to modernize, and by the start of the 20th century, it would have a population of just over ten million. The Korean peninsula was then annexed by Japan in 1910, whose regime implemented industrialization and modernization policies that saw the population of South Korea rising from just under ten million in 1900, to over fifteen million by the start of the Second World War in 1939.

The Korean War Like most regions, the end of the Second World War coincided with a baby boom, that helped see South Korea's population grow by almost two million between 1945 and 1950. However, this boom would stop suddenly in the early 1950s, due to disruption caused by the Korean War. After WWII, the peninsula was split along the 38th parallel, with governments on both sides claiming to be the legitimate rulers of all Korea. Five years of tensions then culminated in North Korea's invasion of the South in June 1950, in the first major conflict of the Cold War. In September, the UN-backed South then repelled the Soviet- and Chinese-backed Northern army, and the frontlines would then fluctuate on either side of the 38th parallel throughout the next three years. The war came to an end in July, 1953, and had an estimated death toll of three million fatalities. The majority of fatalities were civilians on both sides, although the North suffered a disproportionate amount due to extensive bombing campaigns of the U.S. Unlike North Korea, the South's total population did not fall during the war.

Post-war South Korea Between the war's end and the late 1980s, the South's total population more than doubled. In these decades, South Korea was generally viewed as a nominal democracy under authoritarian and military leadership; it was not until 1988 when South Korea transitioned into a stable democracy, and grew its international presence. Much of South Korea's rapid socio-economic growth in the late 20th century was based on the West German model, and was greatly assisted by Japanese and U.S. investment. Today, South Korea is considered one of the world's wealthiest and most developed nations, ranking highly in terms of GDP, human development and life expectancy; it is home to some of the most valuable brands in the world, such as Samsung and Hyundai; and has a growing international cultural presence in music and cinema. In the past decades, South Korea's population growth has somewhat slowed, however it remains one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with total population of more than 51 million people.

North Korea KP: Population: Total data was reported at 25,490,965.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 25,368,620.000 Person for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 19,851,039.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25,490,965.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 11,424,176.000 Person in 1960. North Korea KP: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

United States - Population Growth for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was 0.33882 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Growth for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reached a record high of 2.89925 in January of 1969 and a record low of 0.33882 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Growth for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was 18.98062 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reached a record high of 43.43737 in January of 1950 and a record low of 18.98062 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Population Ages 15 to 64 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was 68.99078 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Ages 15 to 64 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reached a record high of 70.80802 in January of 2020 and a record low of 53.50892 in January of 1950. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Ages 15 to 64 for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Korea Population: Growth data was reported at 0.429 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.451 % for 2016. Korea Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.000 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.967 % in 1961 and a record low of 0.212 % in 2005. Korea 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. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Korea Population Projection: Mid Year data was reported at 47,731,321.000 Person in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of 48,162,628.000 Person for 2049. Korea Population Projection: Mid Year data is updated yearly, averaging 46,840,607.000 Person from Jun 1950 (Median) to 2050, with 101 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 52,796,081.000 Person in 2029 and a record low of 20,845,771.000 Person in 1950. Korea Population Projection: Mid Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Korea Population: Total data was reported at 51,466,201.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 51,245,707.000 Person for 2016. Korea Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 42,240,142.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51,466,201.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 25,012,374.000 Person in 1960. Korea Population: Total 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. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

korea - Active Population: Aged 55-64: Males for the Republic of Korea was 3420513.00000 Persons in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, korea - Active Population: Aged 55-64: Males for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 3427152.00000 in January of 2025 and a record low of 1290688.00000 in June of 2000. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for korea - Active Population: Aged 55-64: Males for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

korea - Active Population: Aged 15-24: All for the Republic of Korea was 1264366.00000 Persons in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, korea - Active Population: Aged 15-24: All for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 2343813.00000 in January of 2002 and a record low of 1264366.00000 in January of 2025. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for korea - Active Population: Aged 15-24: All for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

korea - Active Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea was 18072020.00000 Persons in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, korea - Active Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 18934970.00000 in April of 2014 and a record low of 16233320.00000 in July of 1999. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for korea - Active Population: Aged 25-54: All for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

korea - Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the Republic of Korea was 35345790.00000 Persons in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, korea - Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 36874830.00000 in March of 2017 and a record low of 32560890.00000 in June of 1999. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for korea - Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Level - Veterans, Vietnam-Era and Earlier Wartime Periods, 18 Years and over (LNU00077884) from Sep 2008 to Jun 2025 about korean war, Vietnam Era, World War, 18 years +, veterans, civilian, population, and USA.

United States - Employment to Population Ratio for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was 79.77% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Employment to Population Ratio for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reached a record high of 79.99 in January of 1997 and a record low of 78.46 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Employment to Population Ratio for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Employment-Population Ratio - Veterans, Vietnam-Era and Earlier Wartime Periods, 18 Years and over, Women (LNU02373766) from Sep 2008 to Jun 2025 about korean war, Vietnam Era, World War, 18 years +, veterans, employment-population ratio, females, household survey, employment, population, and USA.

North Korea KP: Population: Growth data was reported at 0.481 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.493 % for 2016. North Korea KP: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.444 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.899 % in 1969 and a record low of 0.481 % in 2017. North Korea KP: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

This scatter chart displays GDP (current US$) against population (people) in Korea. The data is about countries per year.

This statistic shows the share of U.S. Americans who would support sending U.S. troops to South Korea to defend the country if North Korea invaded from 1990 to 2017. In 2017, 62 percent of Americans would support the United States sending troops to South Korea's aid if such an invasion took place.