At a glance
China vs South Korea: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  China |  South Korea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 1,411,968,573 | 51,579,911 | China 27× |
| Population growth rate % per year | -0.2 | -0.1 | -0.1 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 147.72026 | 513.52026 | -365.8 |
| Surface area km² | 9,562,9102023 | 100,4502023 | China 95× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 6.82024 | 4.72024 | +2.1 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 7.82024 | 72024 | +0.8 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | -0.2 | +1.2 | -1.4 |
| Urban population % of population | 66.32025 | 81.22025 | -14.8 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 103.6 | 99.4 | +4.2 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 782024 | 83.62024 | -5.6 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.012024 | 0.752024 | +0.26 |
| Median age years | 40.6 | 46.2 | -5.6 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 5.4 | 1.9 | +3.5 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 15.42025 | 10.22025 | +5.2 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 14.92025 | 20.32025 | -5.4 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $19.50T2025 | $1.87T2025 | China 10× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $13,8622025 | $36,2272025 | South Korea 2.6× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 4.62025 | 2.72025 | +1.9 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 0.12025 | 2.12025 | -2.1 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 13,1252024 | 5882024 | China 22× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 9.322024 | 11.362024 | -2.05 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 2,8512023 | 5,4392024 | South Korea 1.9× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 15.22021 | 3.62021 | +11.6 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 242023 | 64.12023 | -40.1 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 1,9922022 | 1,2552022 | China 1.6× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 20.22022 | 452022 | -24.8 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 91.62025 | 97.92024 | -6.3 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 131.82024 | 172.52024 | -40.8 |
▲ marks the higher value (for death rate, infant mortality, unemployment, inflation, CO₂ and water stress: the lower value). "Difference" is the ratio for absolute measures and China minus South Korea for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
China compared with South Korea
China has a live population of about 1,411,968,573 (#2 in the world) and South Korea about 51,579,911 (#31), so China has 27.4 times as many people as South Korea. China is growing at -0.2% a year and South Korea at -0.1%.
By area China is larger: 9,562,910 km² against 100,450 km², which gives population densities of 147.7 people per km² in China and 513.5 in South Korea.
China's economy is worth $19.50T (2025) and South Korea's $1.87T (2025); per person that is $13,862 in China versus $36,227 in South Korea, so the average South Korea resident produces 2.6 times as much.
Life expectancy is 78 years in China and 83.6 in South Korea; women have 1 children on average in China compared with 0.7 in South Korea; the median age is 40.6 versus 46.2 years.
66.3% of China's people live in cities against 81.2% in South Korea; 91.6% use the internet in China and 97.9% in South Korea; CO₂ emissions per person are 9.3 t in China and 11.4 t in South Korea.
Population over time
Life expectancy & fertility
Birth & death rates
Age structure
CO₂ emissions
Energy use & renewables
Forest area
Urban population
Water resources & stress
Economy
Unemployment & inflation
Internet & mobile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, China or South Korea?
By population China is bigger: 1,411,968,573 people versus 51,579,911 (live estimates, October 2026). By area China is larger (9,562,910 km² vs 100,450 km²).
Which has the larger economy, China or South Korea?
China: GDP of $19,498,039,388,043 versus $1,872,374,961,553 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, China or South Korea?
Life expectancy at birth is 78 years in China and 83.6 years in South Korea, a difference of 5.6 years in favour of South Korea.
How are these comparisons calculated?
Live populations extrapolate the UN World Population Prospects baseline with each country's growth rate; every other figure is the latest value published by World Bank Open Data (or the UN for median age, infant mortality and migration). Each row shows the year of the figure, and the charts below overlay the full historical series of both countries.
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