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.

Historical chart and dataset showing South Korea population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

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.

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 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.

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;

The annual population growth in South Korea increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. Therefore, 2023 was a significant increase in the population growth. Population growth refers to the annual change in population, and is based on the balance between birth and death rates, as well as migration.Find more key insights for the annual population growth in countries like Japan and Hong Kong.

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.

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

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.; ;

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.

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.

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.

The total population in North Korea was estimated at 26.2 million people in 2023, 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.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Republic of Korea (POPTOTKRA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2023 about Korea and population.

KR: Population: Female: Ages 65-69: % of Female Population data was reported at 4.759 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.622 % for 2016. KR: Population: Female: Ages 65-69: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 2.458 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.759 % in 2017 and a record low of 1.539 % in 1969. KR: Population: Female: Ages 65-69: % of Female 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. Female population between the ages 65 to 69 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

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

Korea Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.357 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.363 % for 2016. Korea Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.450 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.543 % in 1968 and a record low of 0.357 % in 2017. Korea Urban 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. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

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.

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.