In 2024, the population of South Korea was estimated to be about ***** million. The population of North Korea was approximately ***** 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, both politically and 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 ***** trillion South Korean won in 2023, only about ** 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 ******* 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.

The statistic shows the total population of South Korea from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the total population of South Korea was about 51.75 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.

Total current population for South Korea in 2025 is 51,690,479, a 0.1% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Total population for South Korea in 2024 was <strong>51,741,963</strong>, a <strong>0.06% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for South Korea in 2023 was <strong>51,712,619</strong>, a <strong>0.08% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for South Korea in 2022 was <strong>51,672,569</strong>, a <strong>0.19% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>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.

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.

In 2024, the population of Gyeonggi Province in South Korea stood at around **** million. Seoul followed with about *** million inhabitants. The total population of South Korea stood at around **** million that year.

In 2024, Seoul's population amounted to around *** million, a decline from approximately *** million residents in the previous year. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is one of the cities with the highest population densities in the world.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in South Korea was reported at 529 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2025, the total population of South Korea is projected to be around ***** 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 *** 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 ** percent to around ** percent in the last decade.

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 growth (annual %) in South Korea was reported at 0.07432 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in North Korea was reported at 6.5807 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Republic of Korea (POPTOTKRA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Korea and population.

The total population in North Korea was estimated at 26.5 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - North Korea Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, Seoul had the highest population density of all provinces in South Korea, with about ****** people per square kilometer. The port city of Busan, which lies 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, followed with about ***** residents per square kilometer. With 90 people per square kilometer, Gangwon was the province with the lowest population density. Population of Seoul The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is the country's largest city with a population of nearly 9.5 million people, meaning that about 20 percent of South Korea's total population live in Seoul. Together with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Incheon Metropolitan Area, the greater Seoul region (or Seoul Capital Area) is home to half of the total population of South Korea. This region also forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Solving the problem of overpopulation in Seoul One of the major problems stemming from overpopulation in Seoul is the housing shortage, leading to a significant surge in real estate prices. Over the past few years, several efforts have been made to curb the excessive population concentration and to solve the associated economic and social problems. In 2007, for example, former President Roh Moo-hyun attempted to move the country's administrative capital to Sejong, which is located 120 kilometers south of Seoul. Although the grand plan did not fully work out, around 40 central administrative agencies have since been moved from Seoul to Sejong, turning the city into the de facto administrative capital of South Korea.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for the Republic of Korea (SPPOPGROWKOR) from 1961 to 2024 about Korea, population, and rate.

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.

Forecast: Overweight Population (Self-Reported) in South Korea 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Korea (LFWA64TTKRM647N) from Jun 1999 to Apr 2025 about working-age, Korea, 15 to 64 years, and population.

Korea Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 7.285 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.440 % for 2016. Korea Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.780 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.269 % in 1981 and a record low of 6.561 % in 2010. Korea Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male 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. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

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 June of 2025.