COUNTRY PROFILE / KOR

KR

South Korea

Compare South Korea

South Korea is a World Bank reporting economy in East Asia & Pacific. Its reported capital is Seoul. Explore its demographic, economic and social trends using 15 available indicators.

East Asia & PacificHigh incomeLatest observations: 2021–2025

Latest country indicators

What changed?

A decade of change, measured from each indicator’s latest available year.

Population

+1.3%2015 → 2025

GDP per capita

+20.1%2015 → 2025

Internet adoption

+10.3 percentage points2014 → 2024

Life expectancy

+1.9 years2014 → 2024

Changes describe direction, not performance. Percentage-point differences apply to percentage indicators; currency changes use current US dollars.

THE LONG VIEW

South Korea, through the years

Explore each indicator. Select a time range or open the underlying data table.

Demographics

Demographics / people

Population in South Korea

51.7MLatest available · 2025
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Population changed by +1.3% between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Population·people· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
202551,684,564
202451,751,065
202351,712,619
202251,672,569
202151,769,539
202051,836,239
201951,764,822
201851,585,058
201751,361,911
201651,217,803
201551,014,947
201450,746,659
201350,428,893
201250,199,853
201149,936,638
201049,554,112
200949,307,835
200849,054,708
200748,683,638
200648,438,292
200548,184,561
200448,082,519
200347,892,330
200247,644,736
200147,370,164
200047,008,111
199946,616,677
199846,286,503
199745,953,580
199645,524,681
199545,092,991
199444,641,540
199344,194,628
199243,747,962
199143,295,704
199042,869,283
198942,449,038
198842,031,247
198741,621,690
198641,213,674
198540,805,744
198440,405,956
198339,910,403
198239,326,352
198138,723,248
198038,123,775
197937,534,236
197836,969,185
197736,411,795
197635,848,523
197535,280,725
197434,692,266
197334,103,149
197233,505,406
197132,882,704
197032,240,827
196931,544,266
196830,838,302
196730,130,983
196629,435,571
196528,704,674
196427,984,155
196327,261,747
196226,513,030
196125,765,673
196025,012,374

The total number of residents, based on the de facto definition of population and midyear estimates. Explore population across countries →

Demographics / %

Population growth in South Korea

-0.1%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Population growth changed by -0.7 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Population growth·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
2025-0.13%
20240.07%
20230.08%
2022-0.19%
2021-0.13%
20200.14%
20190.35%
20180.43%
20170.28%
20160.4%
20150.53%
20140.63%
20130.46%
20120.53%
20110.77%
20100.5%
20090.51%
20080.76%
20070.51%
20060.53%
20050.21%
20040.4%
20030.52%
20020.58%
20010.77%
20000.84%
19990.71%
19980.72%
19970.94%
19960.95%
19951.01%
19941.01%
19931.02%
19921.04%
19910.99%
19900.99%
19890.99%
19880.98%
19870.99%
19860.99%
19850.98%
19841.23%
19831.47%
19821.55%
19811.56%
19801.56%
19791.52%
19781.52%
19771.56%
19761.6%
19751.68%
19741.71%
19731.77%
19721.88%
19711.97%
19702.18%
19692.26%
19682.32%
19672.34%
19662.51%
19652.54%
19642.62%
19632.78%
19622.86%
19612.97%

The annual exponential rate of growth in the midyear population, expressed as a percentage. Explore population growth across countries →

Demographics / %

Urban population in South Korea

81.2%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

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Urban population changed by -0.5 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Urban population·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
202581.17%
202481.17%
202381.16%
202281.16%
202181.16%
202081.18%
201981.29%
201881.38%
201781.47%
201681.56%
201581.64%
201481.73%
201381.83%
201281.91%
201181.96%
201081.97%
200981.92%
200881.84%
200781.71%
200681.57%
200581.39%
200481.1%
200380.71%
200280.28%
200179.88%
200079.58%
199979.36%
199879.18%
199778.99%
199678.75%
199578.4%
199477.86%
199377.11%
199276.2%
199175.16%
199073.99%
198972.47%
198870.59%
198768.56%
198666.58%
198564.8%
198463.15%
198361.54%
198259.95%
198158.33%
198056.66%
197954.9%
197853.1%
197751.3%
197649.57%
197547.97%
197446.51%
197345.15%
197243.79%
197142.35%
197040.71%
196938.71%
196836.53%
196734.56%
196633.1%
196531.96%
196430.96%
196330.06%
196229.23%
196128.45%
196027.69%

The share of the total population living in urban areas, as defined by national statistical offices. Explore urban population across countries →

Demographics / births per woman

Fertility rate in South Korea

0.7 birthsLatest available · 2024
South Korea

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Fertility rate changed by -0.5 births per woman between 2014 and 2024.

View data table
Fertility rate·births per woman· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20240.75 births
20230.72 births
20220.78 births
20210.81 births
20200.84 births
20190.92 births
20180.98 births
20171.05 births
20161.17 births
20151.24 births
20141.21 births
20131.19 births
20121.3 births
20111.24 births
20101.23 births
20091.15 births
20081.19 births
20071.26 births
20061.13 births
20051.09 births
20041.16 births
20031.19 births
20021.18 births
20011.31 births
20001.48 births
19991.43 births
19981.46 births
19971.54 births
19961.57 births
19951.63 births
19941.66 births
19931.65 births
19921.76 births
19911.71 births
19901.57 births
19891.56 births
19881.55 births
19871.53 births
19861.58 births
19851.66 births
19841.74 births
19832.06 births
19822.39 births
19812.57 births
19802.82 births
19792.9 births
19782.64 births
19772.99 births
19763 births
19753.43 births
19743.77 births
19734.07 births
19724.12 births
19714.54 births
19704.53 births
19694.45 births
19684.51 births
19674.62 births
19664.78 births
19654.89 births
19645.07 births
19635.33 births
19625.56 births
19615.8 births
19605.99 births

The number of children a woman would have if she experienced current age-specific fertility rates throughout her childbearing years. Explore fertility rate across countries →

Economy

Economy / USD

GDP in South Korea

$1.9TLatest available · 2025
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

GDP changed by +21.6% between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
GDP·USD· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
2025$1,872,374,961,553.15
2024$1,875,388,209,406.8
2023$1,844,800,934,391.54
2022$1,799,363,116,866.52
2021$1,942,313,560,965.9
2020$1,744,070,276,373.34
2019$1,751,045,752,054.63
2018$1,824,251,454,306.83
2017$1,710,196,756,713.17
2016$1,579,150,518,945.44
2015$1,539,212,301,135.55
2014$1,556,252,422,020.44
2013$1,434,669,686,501.84
2012$1,335,343,586,437.67
2011$1,307,103,477,219.1
2010$1,192,830,015,737.68
2009$983,065,242,417.36
2008$1,091,580,692,542.34
2007$1,220,911,904,593.06
2006$1,095,175,538,508.19
2005$971,740,329,983.88
2004$823,251,107,638.81
2003$728,516,494,684.27
2002$650,014,391,470.21
2001$567,564,806,235.44
2000$597,487,173,479.11
1999$515,697,079,289.01
1998$397,297,216,492.19
1997$589,202,526,424.14
1996$631,196,863,758.28
1995$586,286,469,400.67
1994$479,181,794,216.86
1993$405,705,302,846.45
1992$366,921,291,824.72
1991$340,851,946,803.81
1990$292,064,221,388.99
1989$254,236,243,100.44
1988$205,477,530,605.22
1987$152,240,393,645.51
1986$119,965,960,795.24
1985$103,764,281,280.89
1984$99,749,645,088.6
1983$89,621,208,322.34
1982$79,921,300,446.65
1981$74,287,368,087.35
1980$66,547,970,350.62
1979$68,083,884,297.52
1978$52,824,793,388.43
1977$39,064,462,809.92
1976$30,371,074,380.17
1975$22,126,033,057.85
1974$19,860,929,976.7
1973$14,067,523,813.04
1972$10,990,490,569.73
1971$10,005,257,131.33
1970$9,085,001,793.56
1969$7,743,940,188.95
1968$6,167,109,472.43
1967$4,895,076,718
1966$3,957,064,541.39
1965$3,141,131,708.31
1964$3,476,789,681.58
1963$4,007,692,307.69
1962$2,826,923,076.92
1961$2,427,244,760.67
1960$3,973,069,306.93

Gross domestic product measures the value of goods and services produced in an economy, in current US dollars. Explore gdp across countries →

Economy / USD

GDP per capita in South Korea

$36.2KLatest available · 2025
South Korea

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GDP per capita changed by +20.1% between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
GDP per capita·USD· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
2025$36,226.97
2024$36,238.64
2023$35,674.1
2022$34,822.4
2021$37,518.46
2020$33,645.77
2019$33,826.94
2018$35,363.95
2017$33,296.98
2016$30,832.06
2015$30,171.79
2014$30,667.09
2013$28,449.36
2012$26,600.55
2011$26,175.24
2010$24,071.26
2009$19,937.3
2008$22,252.31
2007$25,078.49
2006$22,609.71
2005$20,167.05
2004$17,121.63
2003$15,211.55
2002$13,642.94
2001$11,981.48
2000$12,710.3
1999$11,062.5
1998$8,583.44
1997$12,821.69
1996$13,864.94
1995$13,001.72
1994$10,733.99
1993$9,179.97
1992$8,387.16
1991$7,872.65
1990$6,812.9
1989$5,989.21
1988$4,888.69
1987$3,657.72
1986$2,910.83
1985$2,542.88
1984$2,468.69
1983$2,245.56
1982$2,032.26
1981$1,918.42
1980$1,745.58
1979$1,813.91
1978$1,428.89
1977$1,072.85
1976$847.21
1975$627.14
1974$572.49
1973$412.5
1972$328.02
1971$304.27
1970$281.79
1969$245.49
1968$199.98
1967$162.46
1966$134.43
1965$109.43
1964$124.24
1963$147.01
1962$106.62
1961$94.2
1960$158.84

Gross domestic product divided by the midyear population, expressed in current US dollars. Explore gdp per capita across countries →

Economy / %

GDP growth in South Korea

1%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

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GDP growth changed by -1.9 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
GDP growth·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20251.01%
20242%
20231.58%
20222.73%
20214.61%
2020-0.7%
20192.31%
20183.18%
20173.43%
20163.17%
20152.92%
20143.21%
20133.29%
20122.55%
20113.69%
20106.98%
20090.82%
20083%
20075.84%
20065.25%
20054.36%
20045.18%
20033.07%
20027.74%
20014.73%
20009.2%
199911.62%
1998-4.94%
19976.28%
19967.99%
19959.74%
19949.37%
19936.99%
19926.35%
199110.87%
199010.02%
19897.17%
198812.13%
198712.89%
198611.5%
19857.94%
198410.64%
198313.47%
19828.47%
19817.4%
1980-1.52%
19798.74%
197811.07%
197712.38%
197613.26%
19757.93%
19749.65%
197314.97%
19727.34%
197110.65%
197010.17%
196914.59%
196813.22%
19679.15%
196612.01%
19657.31%
19649.43%
19639.01%
19623.92%
19616.92%

Annual percentage growth of GDP at market prices based on constant local currency. Explore gdp growth across countries →

Economy / %

Inflation in South Korea

2.1%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

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Inflation changed by +1.4 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Inflation·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20252.12%
20242.32%
20233.6%
20225.09%
20212.5%
20200.54%
20190.38%
20181.48%
20171.94%
20160.97%
20150.71%
20141.27%
20131.3%
20122.19%
20114.03%
20102.94%
20092.76%
20084.67%
20072.53%
20062.24%
20052.75%
20043.59%
20033.51%
20022.76%
20014.07%
20002.26%
19990.81%
19987.51%
19974.44%
19964.92%
19954.48%
19946.27%
19934.8%
19926.21%
19919.33%
19908.57%
19895.7%
19887.15%
19873.05%
19862.75%
19852.46%
19842.27%
19833.42%
19827.19%
198121.35%
198028.7%
197918.32%
197814.46%
197710.1%
197615.33%
197525.25%
197424.3%
19733.22%
197211.69%
197113.51%
197015.95%
196912.39%
196810.77%
196710.88%
196611.26%
196513.55%
196429.46%
196320.69%
19626.62%
19618.2%
19607.97%

The annual percentage change in the cost of a basket of goods and services for the average consumer. Explore inflation across countries →

Economy / %

Unemployment in South Korea

2.7%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Unemployment changed by -0.9 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Unemployment·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20252.68%
20242.78%
20232.68%
20222.86%
20213.64%
20203.93%
20193.75%
20183.82%
20173.65%
20163.65%
20153.55%
20143.08%
20133.07%
20122.81%
20112.99%
20103.32%
20093.36%
20082.96%
20073.01%
20063.25%
20053.48%
20043.42%
20033.35%
20023.05%
20013.7%
20004.06%
19996.34%
19986.96%
19972.61%
19962.05%
19952.06%
19942.48%
19932.88%
19922.51%
19912.41%

The share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment, using modeled ILO estimates. Explore unemployment across countries →

Health

Health / years

Life expectancy in South Korea

83.6 yearsLatest available · 2024
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Life expectancy changed by +1.9 years between 2014 and 2024.

View data table
Life expectancy·years· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
202483.63 years
202383.43 years
202282.68 years
202183.53 years
202083.43 years
201983.23 years
201882.63 years
201782.63 years
201682.28 years
201582.02 years
201481.72 years
201381.27 years
201280.82 years
201180.57 years
201080.12 years
200979.97 years
200879.52 years
200779.12 years
200678.67 years
200578.17 years
200477.67 years
200377.21 years
200276.77 years
200176.41 years
200075.91 years
199975.41 years
199875 years
199774.6 years
199674.15 years
199573.7 years
199473.4 years
199373 years
199272.5 years
199172.05 years
199071.6 years
198971.05 years
198870.55 years
198770 years
198669.45 years
198568.8 years
198468.2 years
198367.55 years
198267.1 years
198166.55 years
198066.05 years
197965.55 years
197865.2 years
197764.9 years
197664.5 years
197564.15 years
197463.8 years
197363.41 years
197263.01 years
197162.61 years
197062.16 years
196961.48 years
196860.94 years
196760.93 years
196655.52 years
196555.86 years
196455.39 years
196355.03 years
196255.05 years
196154.48 years
196053.8 years

The years a newborn would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at birth remained the same throughout life. Explore life expectancy across countries →

Health / %

Health expenditure in South Korea

8.7%Latest available · 2024
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Health expenditure changed by +2.4 percentage points between 2014 and 2024.

View data table
Health expenditure·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20248.68%
20238.57%
20228.86%
20218.34%
20208.03%
20197.69%
20187.14%
20176.8%
20166.64%
20156.46%
20146.24%
20136.07%
20125.96%
20115.9%
20105.79%
20095.69%
20085.25%
20074.96%
20064.96%
20054.65%
20044.43%
20034.47%
20023.91%
20014.17%
20003.72%

Current health expenditure as a share of GDP, including public and private spending on healthcare goods and services. Explore health expenditure across countries →

Technology

Technology / %

Internet adoption in South Korea

97.9%Latest available · 2024
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Internet adoption changed by +10.3 percentage points between 2014 and 2024.

View data table
Internet adoption·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
202497.9%
202397.42%
202297.17%
202197.57%
202096.51%
201996.16%
201896.02%
201795.07%
201692.84%
201589.9%
201487.56%
201384.77%
201284.07%
201183.76%
201083.7%
200981.6%
200881%
200778.8%
200678.1%
200573.5%
200472.7%
200365.5%
200259.4%
200156.6%
200044.7%
199923.6%
19986.78%
19973.6%
19961.62%
19950.82%
19940.31%
19930.25%
19920.1%
19910.05%
19900.02%

The percentage of individuals who have used the Internet from any location in the last three months. Explore internet adoption across countries →

Environment

Environment / %

Renewable energy in South Korea

3.6%Latest available · 2021
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Renewable energy changed by +2.2 percentage points between 2011 and 2021.

View data table
Renewable energy·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
20213.6%
20203.6%
20193.2%
20183.2%
20172.8%
20162.6%
20152.7%
20142.9%
20131.9%
20121.6%
20111.4%
20101.3%
20091.2%
20081.1%
20071%
20060.9%
20050.9%
20040.8%
20030.8%
20020.7%
20010.7%
20000.7%
19990.8%
19980.9%
19970.7%
19960.6%
19950.4%
19940.4%
19930.7%
19920.8%
19911%
19901.6%

Renewable energy consumption as a share of total final energy consumption. Explore renewable energy across countries →

Environment / %

Access to electricity in South Korea

100%Latest available · 2024
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Access to electricity changed by 0 percentage points between 2014 and 2024.

View data table
Access to electricity·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
2024100%
2023100%
2022100%
2021100%
2020100%
2019100%
2018100%
2017100%
2016100%
2015100%
2014100%
2013100%
2012100%
2011100%
2010100%
2009100%
2008100%
2007100%
2006100%
2005100%
2004100%
2003100%
2002100%
2001100%
2000100%
1999100%
1998100%
1997100%
1996100%
1995100%
199499.99%
199399.97%
199299.94%
199199.91%
199099.88%

The percentage of the population with access to electricity, based on household surveys and other sources. Explore access to electricity across countries →

Trade

Trade / %

Trade in South Korea

86.4%Latest available · 2025
South Korea

Interactive chart loading…

Trade changed by +11 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.

View data table
Trade·%· World Bank
YearSouth Korea
202586.36%
202484.64%
202382.26%
202290.59%
202175.31%
202065.54%
201971.45%
201874.71%
201773.19%
201669.9%
201575.39%
201486.93%
201394.17%
2012101.52%
2011101.68%
201088.03%
200983.12%
200892.08%
200771.32%
200668.37%
200566.17%
200467.93%
200359.42%
200256.67%
200160.43%
200064.06%
199957.89%
199866.33%
199755.89%
199651.61%
199551.4%
199447.74%
199345.42%
199247.21%
199148.29%
199049.19%
198951.33%
198856.93%
198761.11%
198658.42%
198551.33%
198456%
198356.61%
198258.95%
198165.73%
198064.23%
197953.52%
197853.25%
197752.97%
197652.96%
197553.04%
197454.56%
197350.82%
197237.54%
197135.29%
197032.25%
196932.79%
196832.52%
196728.56%
196626.47%
196521.32%
196417.26%
196318.52%
196219.4%
196117.93%
196014.55%

The sum of exports and imports of goods and services, measured as a share of gross domestic product. Explore trade across countries →

Source: World Bank · World Development IndicatorsRetrieved 2026-09-23

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