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.

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in South Korea was reported at 23.77 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population in largest city in South Korea was reported at 10004840 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2023, the population density in South Korea stood at around *** inhabitants per square kilometer, slightly up from *** in the previous year. The nationwide population density has been increasing steadily over the past decades. The highest density was in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, with ****** people per square kilometer. UrbanizationSouth Korea was primarily an agricultural nation. In the decades following its independence from Japanese rule in 1945, both the dictatorships and democratic governments that governed South Korea focused on industrialization and modernization of the country. The urban population has grown by about **** million over the past 20 years, while the rural population has fallen by around *** million. In 2023, around ** percent of the population lived in an urban area. The most populous city SeoulSeoul’s high population density is not surprising. The capital city is typically grouped with the province of Gyeonggi, which resembles a donut with Seoul at its center, and the metropolitan port city of Incheon, collectively known as the Seoul Capital Area. This is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of South Korea. With more than **** millio* residents, half of South Korea’s population lives in this area.

In 2023, the South Korean city of Incheon experienced a population growth of approximately *** percent, followed by Chungnam Province at around *** percent. Meanwhile, Gangwon Province saw no change in its population.

Korea Population: Mid Year: Ulsan Metropolitan City data was reported at 1,165.132 Person th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,172.304 Person th for 2016. Korea Population: Mid Year: Ulsan Metropolitan City data is updated yearly, averaging 921.867 Person th from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2017, with 48 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,173.534 Person th in 2015 and a record low of 282.596 Person th in 1970. Korea Population: Mid Year: Ulsan Metropolitan City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City data was reported at 9,857.426 Person th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9,930.616 Person th for 2016. Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City data is updated yearly, averaging 10,157.226 Person th from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2017, with 48 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,935.230 Person th in 1992 and a record low of 5,685.932 Person th in 1970. Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City: Female data was reported at 5,027.220 Person th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,053.827 Person th for 2016. Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 5,098.404 Person th from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2017, with 48 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,435.229 Person th in 1992 and a record low of 2,821.785 Person th in 1970. Korea Population: Mid Year: Seoul Metropolitan City: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Pohang, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

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.

Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Ulsan Metropolitan City data was reported at 23.457 Person th in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 26.183 Person th for 2015. Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Ulsan Metropolitan City data is updated yearly, averaging 11.649 Person th from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2016, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.183 Person th in 2015 and a record low of 2.819 Person th in 1998. Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Ulsan Metropolitan City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Daegu, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Incheon, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for South Korea including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Sejong Special Autonomous City data was reported at 3.745 Person th in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.481 Person th for 2015. Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Sejong Special Autonomous City data is updated yearly, averaging 2.719 Person th from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.745 Person th in 2016 and a record low of 2.271 Person th in 2012. Korea Population: Mid Year: Foreign: Sejong Special Autonomous City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Gumi, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Jeonju, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Daejon, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Population in largest city in North Korea was reported at 3183135 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. North Korea - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Gimhae, South Korea metro area from 1950 to 2025.