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

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<li>Total population for South Korea in 2024 was <strong>51,741,963</strong>, a <strong>0.08% decline</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for South Korea in 2023 was <strong>51,784,059</strong>, a <strong>0.06% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for South Korea in 2022 was <strong>51,815,810</strong>, a <strong>0.03% 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.

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 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.

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

Population growth (annual %) in South Korea was reported at 0.07748 % in 2023, 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 June 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.

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.

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

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 May of 2025.

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

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

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

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.

Rural population growth (annual %) in South Korea was reported at --0.07878 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Rural population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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

Total current population for North Korea in 2025 is 26,319,924, a 0.29% increase from 2024.

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<li>Total population for North Korea in 2024 was <strong>26,244,582</strong>, a <strong>0.32% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for North Korea in 2023 was <strong>26,160,821</strong>, a <strong>0.35% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for North Korea in 2022 was <strong>26,069,416</strong>, a <strong>0.38% increase</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.

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

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

Korea Population Projection: 64 Years data was reported at 627,898.000 Person in 2065. This records a decrease from the previous number of 653,533.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 64 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 452,836.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 916,606.000 Person in 2025 and a record low of 88,330.000 Person in 1960. Korea Population Projection: 64 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G003: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.