At a glance
Italy vs South Korea: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  Italy |  South Korea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 58,858,753 | 51,580,014 | Italy 1.1× |
| Population growth rate % per year | -0.4 | -0.1 | -0.2 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 194.92026 | 513.52026 | -318.6 |
| Surface area km² | 302,0702023 | 100,4502023 | Italy 3× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 6.32024 | 4.72024 | +1.6 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 112024 | 72024 | +4 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +1 | +1.2 | -0.2 |
| Urban population % of population | 69.72025 | 81.22025 | -11.5 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 95.9 | 99.4 | -3.5 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 842024 | 83.62024 | +0.3 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.182024 | 0.752024 | +0.43 |
| Median age years | 48.6 | 46.2 | +2.4 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 2.1 | 1.9 | +0.2 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 11.72025 | 10.22025 | +1.5 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 25.12025 | 20.32025 | +4.8 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $2.55T2025 | $1.87T2025 | Italy 1.4× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $43,3092025 | $36,2272025 | Italy 1.2× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 6.42025 | 2.72025 | +3.7 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 1.52025 | 2.12025 | -0.6 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 299.22024 | 5882024 | South Korea 2× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 5.082024 | 11.362024 | -6.29 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 2,2312024 | 5,4392024 | South Korea 2.4× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 17.52021 | 3.62021 | +13.9 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 32.92023 | 64.12023 | -31.2 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 3,0932022 | 1,2552022 | Italy 2.5× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 18.52022 | 452022 | -26.5 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 89.22024 | 97.92024 | -8.7 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 132.62024 | 172.52024 | -39.9 |
▲ 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 Italy minus South Korea for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
Italy compared with South Korea
Italy has a live population of about 58,858,753 (#25 in the world) and South Korea about 51,580,014 (#31), so Italy has 1.1 times as many people as South Korea. Italy is growing at -0.4% a year and South Korea at -0.1%.
By area Italy is larger: 302,070 km² against 100,450 km², which gives population densities of 194.9 people per km² in Italy and 513.5 in South Korea.
Italy's economy is worth $2.55T (2025) and South Korea's $1.87T (2025); per person that is $43,309 in Italy versus $36,227 in South Korea, so the average Italy resident produces 1.2 times as much.
Life expectancy is 84 years in Italy and 83.6 in South Korea; women have 1.2 children on average in Italy compared with 0.7 in South Korea; the median age is 48.6 versus 46.2 years.
69.7% of Italy's people live in cities against 81.2% in South Korea; 89.2% use the internet in Italy and 97.9% in South Korea; CO₂ emissions per person are 5.1 t in Italy 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, Italy or South Korea?
By population Italy is bigger: 58,858,753 people versus 51,580,014 (live estimates, October 2026). By area Italy is larger (302,070 km² vs 100,450 km²).
Which has the larger economy, Italy or South Korea?
Italy: GDP of $2,551,556,954,100 versus $1,872,374,961,553 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, Italy or South Korea?
Life expectancy at birth is 84 years in Italy and 83.6 years in South Korea, a difference of 0.3 years in favour of Italy.
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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South Korea vs SudanSources & method: live populations are linear extrapolations of the UN World Population Prospects estimates; all other indicators are the latest values from World Bank Open Data (UN WPP for median age, infant mortality, sex ratio and net migration). Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.