Quick facts
South Korea population overview
South Korea is the 13th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 51,637,777 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.1% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 198 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 247,861 births (4.8 per 1,000 people) and 387,283 deaths (7.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 61,965 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 25,012,374 in 1960 to 51,684,564 in 2025 — a change of +106.6%, or +1.1% per year on average. It peaked at 51,836,239 in 2020 and has declined 0.5% since.
Demographically, the median age is 46.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 84.6 years; women have on average 0.7 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 10.2% of residents are under 15 and 20.3% are 65 or older (2025); 81.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Seoul. South Korea covers 100,450 km², giving a population density of about 513 people per km². GDP was $1.87T in 2025 — about $36,227 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
South Korea population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 51,580,125 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 51,637,777 |
| World rank | #31 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #13 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 247,861 |
| Deaths per year est. | 387,283 |
| Net migration per year est. | +61,965 |
| Birth rate | 4.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 46.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 84.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 0.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 81.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 100,450 km² |
| Population density | 513 per km² |
| Capital | Seoul |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.87T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $36,227 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
South Korea population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 51,580,125 | – | – |
| 2025 | 51,684,564 | -66,501 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 51,751,065 | +38,446 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 51,712,619 | +40,050 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 51,672,569 | -96,970 | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 51,769,539 | -66,700 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 51,836,239 | +821,292 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 51,014,947 | +1,460,835 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 49,554,112 | +1,369,551 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 48,184,561 | +1,176,450 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 47,008,111 | +1,915,120 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 45,092,991 | +2,223,708 | +1% |
| 1990 | 42,869,283 | +2,063,539 | +1% |
| 1985 | 40,805,744 | +2,681,969 | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 38,123,775 | +2,843,050 | +1.6% |
| 1975 | 35,280,725 | +3,039,898 | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 32,240,827 | +3,536,153 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 28,704,674 | +3,692,300 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 25,012,374 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About South Korea
Population over time
- From 25,012,374 in 1960 to 51,580,125 today — up 106.2%.
- Population peaked at 51,836,239 in 2020 and is down 0.5% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.6 years (2024), up 29.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 0.7 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 4.7 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 2.3 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 10.2% of the population is under 15 and 20.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 588 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 680.5 Mt in 2018 — down 13.6% since.
- Per person: 11.36 t in 2024, vs 1.93 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 5,438.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), up 160.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 3.6% of final energy in 2021 (+2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 64.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 67.9% to 64.1% since 1990 — roughly 3,823 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 81.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 27.7% in 1960 (+53.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1977.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 45% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,255 m³ in 2022, down 50.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.87T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 21.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $36,227 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 97.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 172.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
South Korea in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of South Korea in 2026?
As of October 2026, South Korea has an estimated population of 51,580,125. The United Nations estimated 51,637,777 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of South Korea growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.1% per year — roughly 198 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 247,861 births and 387,283 deaths, with net migration of +61,965.
What is the population density of South Korea?
About 513 people per square kilometre: 51,580,125 people living on 100,450 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in South Korea?
The median age is 46.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 84.6 years. 10.2% of the population is under 15 and 20.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does South Korea rank by population?
South Korea is the 31st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 13th in Asia, with 0.6% of the global population.
How has the population of South Korea changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 25,012,374; by 2025 it had grown to 51,684,564 (+106.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
India
China
Indonesia
Pakistan
Uganda
Sudan
Colombia
MyanmarSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.