At a glance
South Korea vs Iraq: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  South Korea |  Iraq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 51,580,014 | 48,294,533 | South Korea 1.1× |
| Population growth rate % per year | -0.1 | +2.1 | -2.2 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 513.52026 | 1112026 | +402.5 |
| Surface area km² | 100,4502023 | 435,0502023 | Iraq 4.3× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 4.72024 | 25.62024 | -20.9 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 72024 | 4.22024 | +2.8 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +1.2 | -0.3 | +1.5 |
| Urban population % of population | 81.22025 | 69.92025 | +11.2 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 99.4 | 101 | -1.6 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 83.62024 | 72.42024 | +11.2 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 0.752024 | 3.222024 | -2.47 |
| Median age years | 46.2 | 21.1 | +25.1 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 1.9 | 18 | -16.1 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 10.22025 | 362025 | -25.8 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 20.32025 | 3.42025 | +16.9 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $1.87T2025 | $254.37B2025 | South Korea 7.4× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $36,2272025 | $5,4102025 | South Korea 6.7× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 2.72025 | 15.52025 | -12.8 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 2.12025 | 0.32025 | +1.8 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 5882024 | 238.72024 | South Korea 2.5× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 11.362024 | 5.182024 | +6.18 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 5,4392024 | 1,5062023 | South Korea 3.6× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 3.62021 | 1.12021 | +2.5 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 64.12023 | 1.92023 | +62.2 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 1,2552022 | 7992022 | South Korea 1.6× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 452022 | 120.52022 | -75.5 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 97.92024 | 81.52024 | +16.4 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 172.52024 | 100.12024 | +72.4 |
▲ 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 South Korea minus Iraq for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
South Korea compared with Iraq
South Korea has a live population of about 51,580,014 (#31 in the world) and Iraq about 48,294,533 (#34), so South Korea has 1.1 times as many people as Iraq. South Korea is growing at -0.1% a year and Iraq at 2.1%.
By area Iraq is larger: 435,050 km² against 100,450 km², which gives population densities of 513.5 people per km² in South Korea and 111 in Iraq.
South Korea's economy is worth $1.87T (2025) and Iraq's $254.37B (2025); per person that is $36,227 in South Korea versus $5,410 in Iraq, so the average South Korea resident produces 6.7 times as much.
Life expectancy is 83.6 years in South Korea and 72.4 in Iraq; women have 0.7 children on average in South Korea compared with 3.2 in Iraq; the median age is 46.2 versus 21.1 years.
81.2% of South Korea's people live in cities against 69.9% in Iraq; 97.9% use the internet in South Korea and 81.5% in Iraq; CO₂ emissions per person are 11.4 t in South Korea and 5.2 t in Iraq.
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, South Korea or Iraq?
By population South Korea is bigger: 51,580,014 people versus 48,294,533 (live estimates, October 2026). By area Iraq is larger (435,050 km² vs 100,450 km²).
Which has the larger economy, South Korea or Iraq?
South Korea: GDP of $1,872,374,961,553 versus $254,367,293,538 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, South Korea or Iraq?
Life expectancy at birth is 83.6 years in South Korea and 72.4 years in Iraq, a difference of 11.2 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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Iraq vs ArgentinaSources & 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.