At a glance
United Kingdom vs South Korea: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  United Kingdom |  South Korea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 70,039,936 | 51,580,014 | United Kingdom 1.4× |
| Population growth rate % per year | +0.5 | -0.1 | +0.7 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 287.52026 | 513.52026 | -226 |
| Surface area km² | 243,6102023 | 100,4502023 | United Kingdom 2.4× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 9.92024 | 4.72024 | +5.2 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 9.72024 | 72024 | +2.7 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +5.2 | +1.2 | +4 |
| Urban population % of population | 83.32025 | 81.22025 | +2.1 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 97.1 | 99.4 | -2.3 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 81.42024 | 83.62024 | -2.2 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.552024 | 0.752024 | +0.8 |
| Median age years | 40.2 | 46.2 | -6 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 3.4 | 1.9 | +1.5 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 172025 | 10.22025 | +6.8 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 19.72025 | 20.32025 | -0.6 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $4.00T2025 | $1.87T2025 | United Kingdom 2.1× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $57,6022025 | $36,2272025 | United Kingdom 1.6× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 4.72025 | 2.72025 | +2.1 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 3.92025 | 2.12025 | +1.8 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 292.42024 | 5882024 | South Korea 2× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 4.222024 | 11.362024 | -7.14 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 2,0692024 | 5,4392024 | South Korea 2.6× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 12.22021 | 3.62021 | +8.6 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 13.32023 | 64.12023 | -50.8 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 2,1442022 | 1,2552022 | United Kingdom 1.7× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 5.82022 | 452022 | -39.2 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 95.52024 | 97.92024 | -2.4 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 121.62024 | 172.52024 | -50.9 |
▲ 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 United Kingdom minus South Korea for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
United Kingdom compared with South Korea
United Kingdom has a live population of about 70,039,936 (#22 in the world) and South Korea about 51,580,014 (#31), so United Kingdom has 1.4 times as many people as South Korea. United Kingdom is growing at 0.5% a year and South Korea at -0.1%.
By area United Kingdom is larger: 243,610 km² against 100,450 km², which gives population densities of 287.5 people per km² in United Kingdom and 513.5 in South Korea.
United Kingdom's economy is worth $4.00T (2025) and South Korea's $1.87T (2025); per person that is $57,602 in United Kingdom versus $36,227 in South Korea, so the average United Kingdom resident produces 1.6 times as much.
Life expectancy is 81.4 years in United Kingdom and 83.6 in South Korea; women have 1.6 children on average in United Kingdom compared with 0.7 in South Korea; the median age is 40.2 versus 46.2 years.
83.3% of United Kingdom's people live in cities against 81.2% in South Korea; 95.5% use the internet in United Kingdom and 97.9% in South Korea; CO₂ emissions per person are 4.2 t in United Kingdom 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, United Kingdom or South Korea?
By population United Kingdom is bigger: 70,039,936 people versus 51,580,014 (live estimates, October 2026). By area United Kingdom is larger (243,610 km² vs 100,450 km²).
Which has the larger economy, United Kingdom or South Korea?
United Kingdom: GDP of $4,002,587,541,846 versus $1,872,374,961,553 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, United Kingdom or South Korea?
Life expectancy at birth is 81.4 years in United Kingdom and 83.6 years in South Korea, a difference of 2.2 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.
Explore more
United Kingdom vs Russia
United Kingdom vs Germany
United Kingdom vs France
United Kingdom vs Italy
United Kingdom vs Tanzania
United Kingdom vs ThailandUnited Kingdom vs France
South Korea vs India
South Korea vs China
South Korea vs Indonesia
South Korea vs Pakistan
South Korea vs Uganda
South Korea vs Sudan
South Korea vs ColombiaSources & 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.