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

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

Korea Population Projection: 81 Years data was reported at 620,266.000 Person in 2065. This records a decrease from the previous number of 675,586.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 81 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 376,035.000 Person from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2065, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 756,298.000 Person in 2050 and a record low of 66,754.000 Person in 2000. Korea Population Projection: 81 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G004: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.

Korea Population Projection: 50 Years data was reported at 457,485.000 Person in 2065. This records an increase from the previous number of 452,834.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 50 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 502,972.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 941,567.000 Person in 2019 and a record low of 184,000.000 Person in 1961. Korea Population Projection: 50 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G004: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.

The statistic shows the total population of South Korea from 1980 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.

Korea Population Projection: 60 Years data was reported at 470,063.000 Person in 2065. This records a decrease from the previous number of 504,176.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 60 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 493,206.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 931,457.000 Person in 2021 and a record low of 102,145.000 Person in 1963. Korea Population Projection: 60 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G004: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.

Korea Population Projection: 70 to 74 Years data was reported at 3,556,524.000 Person in 2065. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,498,583.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 70 to 74 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,702,413.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,254,410.000 Person in 2043 and a record low of 210,394.000 Person in 1960. Korea Population Projection: 70 to 74 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G004: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Korea Population Growth Annual Percent

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

Korea Population Projection: 1 Year data was reported at 268,052.000 Person in 2065. This records a decrease from the previous number of 270,794.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 1 Year data is updated yearly, averaging 445,287.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,003,769.000 Person in 1961 and a record low of 268,052.000 Person in 2065. Korea Population Projection: 1 Year 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.

Population, total in South Korea was reported at 51751065 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Population ages 35-39, male (% of male population) in South Korea was reported at 6.7108 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 35-39, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Population ages 00-04, female (% of female population) in South Korea was reported at 2.409 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 0-4, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Korea Population Projection: 35 Years data was reported at 422,381.000 Person in 2065. This records a decrease from the previous number of 425,909.000 Person for 2064. Korea Population Projection: 35 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 522,667.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2065, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 912,769.000 Person in 2006 and a record low of 278,708.000 Person in 1961. Korea Population Projection: 35 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G004: Population Projection: Statistics Korea.

Population ages 0-14, male (% of male population) in South Korea was reported at 10.86 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 0-14, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Population ages 40-44, female (% of female population) in South Korea was reported at 7.505 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 40-44, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Population of the official entrance age to secondary general education, female (number) in South Korea was reported at 220189 Persons in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population of the official entrance age to secondary general education, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Population ages 05-09, female (% of female population) in South Korea was reported at 3.5684 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population ages 5-9, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

School age population, lower secondary education, both sexes (number) in South Korea was reported at 1381393 Persons in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Population of the official age for lower secondary education, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.