South Korea in figures
Back to South KoreaWomen in South Korea had 0.72 children on average in 2023, the lowest point in a series that began at 1.48 in 2000, and the population peaked at 51,836,239 in 2020. People aged 65 or over made up 20.3% of residents in 2025, against 7.1% in 2000. The economy grew from $597.5 billion in 2000 to $1.87 trillion in 2025, but real growth had slowed to 1.0%, and the IMF projected government debt to rise from 52.3% of GDP in 2025 to 63.1% in 2031.
GDP
$1.87 tn
2025
from $597.5 bn in 2000
GDP per person
$36 227
2025
from $12 710 in 2000
Real growth
1.0%
2025
from 9.2% in 2000
Inflation
2.1%
2025
from 2.3% in 2000
Unemployment
2.7%
2025
from 4.1% in 2000
Government debt
52.3%of GDP
2025
from 16.1% in 2000
Sections
Economy
How large South Korea's economy is, how fast it grows and what it is made of
Real output grew in every year from 2000 to 2025 except 2020, when it fell 0.7%. The fastest years were 2000, at 9.2%, and 2010, at 7.0%; in 2009 growth held at 0.8%. The pace has eased since 2021's 4.6%, to 1.6% in 2023 and 1.0% in 2025, and the IMF projected 1.9% for 2026. In current dollars GDP peaked at $1.94 trillion in 2021 and stood at $1.87 trillion in 2025. At purchasing power parity, output per person was $63,125 in 2025, against $36,227 at market exchange rates. Services produced 57.2% of GDP in 2025, up from 52.5% in 2000. Industry, construction included, barely moved: 34.3% in 2025 against 34.4% in 2000, with manufacturing alone at 27.4% in 2025 after a high of 29.0% in 2011. Farming, forestry and fishing shrank from 3.7% of output in 2000 to 1.5% in 2025.
$1.87 tn2025
Data
| Year | GDP, current US dollars |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.87 tn |
| 2024 | $1.88 tn |
| 2023 | $1.84 tn |
| 2022 | $1.80 tn |
| 2021 | $1.94 tn |
| 2020 | $1.74 tn |
| 2019 | $1.75 tn |
| 2018 | $1.82 tn |
| 2017 | $1.71 tn |
| 2016 | $1.58 tn |
| 2015 | $1.54 tn |
| 2014 | $1.56 tn |
| 2013 | $1.43 tn |
| 2012 | $1.34 tn |
| 2011 | $1.31 tn |
| 2010 | $1.19 tn |
| 2009 | $983.1 bn |
| 2008 | $1.09 tn |
| 2007 | $1.22 tn |
| 2006 | $1.10 tn |
| 2005 | $971.7 bn |
| 2004 | $823.3 bn |
| 2003 | $728.5 bn |
| 2002 | $650.0 bn |
| 2001 | $567.6 bn |
| 2000 | $597.5 bn |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.CD
1.0%2025
Data
| Year | Growth |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 1.9% |
| 2030 (projection) | 1.9% |
| 2029 (projection) | 2.0% |
| 2028 (projection) | 2.2% |
| 2027 (projection) | 2.1% |
| 2026 (projection) | 1.9% |
| 2025 | 1.0% |
| 2024 | 2.0% |
| 2023 | 1.6% |
| 2022 | 2.7% |
| 2021 | 4.6% |
| 2020 | −0.7% |
| 2019 | 2.3% |
| 2018 | 3.2% |
| 2017 | 3.4% |
| 2016 | 3.2% |
| 2015 | 2.9% |
| 2014 | 3.2% |
| 2013 | 3.3% |
| 2012 | 2.5% |
| 2011 | 3.7% |
| 2010 | 7.0% |
| 2009 | 0.8% |
| 2008 | 3.0% |
| 2007 | 5.8% |
| 2006 | 5.3% |
| 2005 | 4.4% |
| 2004 | 5.2% |
| 2003 | 3.1% |
| 2002 | 7.7% |
| 2001 | 4.7% |
| 2000 | 9.2% |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook NGDP_RPCH
$36 2272025
At market exchange ratesAt purchasing power parity
Data
| Year | GDP per person | At purchasing power |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36 227 | $63 125 |
| 2024 | $36 239 | $61 051 |
| 2023 | $35 674 | $57 430 |
| 2022 | $34 822 | $55 509 |
| 2021 | $37 518 | $51 718 |
| 2020 | $33 646 | $47 881 |
| 2019 | $33 827 | $46 511 |
| 2018 | $35 364 | $45 511 |
| 2017 | $33 297 | $43 156 |
| 2016 | $30 832 | $41 673 |
| 2015 | $30 172 | $39 794 |
| 2014 | $30 667 | $37 032 |
| 2013 | $28 449 | $35 844 |
| 2012 | $26 601 | $35 062 |
| 2011 | $26 175 | $33 944 |
| 2010 | $24 071 | $33 120 |
| 2009 | $19 937 | $30 740 |
| 2008 | $22 252 | $31 211 |
| 2007 | $25 078 | $30 255 |
| 2006 | $22 610 | $27 972 |
| 2005 | $20 167 | $26 179 |
| 2004 | $17 122 | $24 658 |
| 2003 | $15 212 | $22 920 |
| 2002 | $13 643 | $22 173 |
| 2001 | $11 981 | $20 442 |
| 2000 | $12 710 | $19 237 |
Series World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD
Manufacturing has its own band and is left out of other industry. The remainder is taxes on products less subsidies, which the national accounts add to reach GDP.
- Services
- Manufacturing
- Other industry and construction
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing
- Taxes less subsidies
Prices and work
What prices and jobs did
Consumer price inflation peaked at 5.1% in 2022 and eased to 2.1% by 2025. Its low was 0.4% in 2019. The IMF projected 2.5% for 2026. Unemployment fell from 4.1% in 2000 to 2.7% in 2023 and was 2.7% again in 2025, while among people aged 15 to 24 it peaked at 10.2% in 2016 and stood at 6.7% in 2025.
2.1%2025
Data
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 2.0% |
| 2030 (projection) | 2.0% |
| 2029 (projection) | 2.0% |
| 2028 (projection) | 2.0% |
| 2027 (projection) | 1.9% |
| 2026 (projection) | 2.5% |
| 2025 | 2.1% |
| 2024 | 2.3% |
| 2023 | 3.6% |
| 2022 | 5.1% |
| 2021 | 2.5% |
| 2020 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.4% |
| 2018 | 1.5% |
| 2017 | 1.9% |
| 2016 | 1.0% |
| 2015 | 0.7% |
| 2014 | 1.3% |
| 2013 | 1.3% |
| 2012 | 2.2% |
| 2011 | 4.0% |
| 2010 | 2.9% |
| 2009 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | 4.7% |
| 2007 | 2.5% |
| 2006 | 2.2% |
| 2005 | 2.8% |
| 2004 | 3.6% |
| 2003 | 3.5% |
| 2002 | 2.8% |
| 2001 | 4.1% |
| 2000 | 2.3% |
Series World Bank FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook PCPIPCH
2.7%2025
All agesAges 15 to 24
Data
| Year | Unemployment | Ages 15 to 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.7% | 6.7% |
| 2024 | 2.8% | 6.4% |
| 2023 | 2.7% | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 2.9% | 6.6% |
| 2021 | 3.6% | 8.1% |
| 2020 | 3.9% | 10.1% |
| 2019 | 3.8% | 9.8% |
| 2018 | 3.8% | 10.1% |
| 2017 | 3.6% | 9.8% |
| 2016 | 3.6% | 10.2% |
| 2015 | 3.5% | 9.9% |
| 2014 | 3.1% | 8.6% |
| 2013 | 3.1% | 8.9% |
| 2012 | 2.8% | 7.7% |
| 2011 | 3.0% | 8.3% |
| 2010 | 3.3% | 8.5% |
| 2009 | 3.4% | 9.2% |
| 2008 | 3.0% | 8.7% |
| 2007 | 3.0% | 7.8% |
| 2006 | 3.3% | 8.9% |
| 2005 | 3.5% | 9.3% |
| 2004 | 3.4% | 9.8% |
| 2003 | 3.4% | 9.4% |
| 2002 | 3.0% | 7.9% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | 9.4% |
| 2000 | 4.1% | 10.0% |
Series World Bank SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS · World Bank SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Trade
How open the economy is
Exports of goods and services came to 45.8% of GDP in 2025. That is up from 32.9% in 2000 and below the 52.0% of 2012, when imports too were near their high of 50.4%, reached in 2011; in 2025 imports stood at 40.6%. The current account ran a surplus of 6.6% of GDP in 2025, close to the 6.8% of 2015, having shrunk to 0.2% in 2008.
45.8%2025
ExportsImports
Data
| Year | Exports of goods and services | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 45.8% | 40.6% |
| 2024 | 44.4% | 40.3% |
| 2023 | 41.3% | 40.9% |
| 2022 | 45.3% | 45.3% |
| 2021 | 39.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | 30.9% |
| 2019 | 37.0% | 34.4% |
| 2018 | 39.5% | 35.3% |
| 2017 | 38.9% | 34.3% |
| 2016 | 38.1% | 31.8% |
| 2015 | 41.0% | 34.4% |
| 2014 | 45.8% | 41.1% |
| 2013 | 49.2% | 44.9% |
| 2012 | 52.0% | 49.5% |
| 2011 | 51.3% | 50.4% |
| 2010 | 45.3% | 42.8% |
| 2009 | 43.5% | 39.6% |
| 2008 | 45.9% | 46.2% |
| 2007 | 36.0% | 35.3% |
| 2006 | 34.5% | 33.9% |
| 2005 | 34.1% | 32.0% |
| 2004 | 35.6% | 32.3% |
| 2003 | 30.4% | 29.0% |
| 2002 | 28.9% | 27.8% |
| 2001 | 30.9% | 29.6% |
| 2000 | 32.9% | 31.2% |
Series World Bank NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS · World Bank NE.IMP.GNFS.ZS
6.6%2025
Data
| Year | Current account balance |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.6% |
| 2024 | 5.3% |
| 2023 | 1.8% |
| 2022 | 1.3% |
| 2021 | 4.3% |
| 2020 | 4.4% |
| 2019 | 3.4% |
| 2018 | 4.3% |
| 2017 | 4.4% |
| 2016 | 6.2% |
| 2015 | 6.8% |
| 2014 | 5.3% |
| 2013 | 5.4% |
| 2012 | 3.6% |
| 2011 | 1.3% |
| 2010 | 2.3% |
| 2009 | 3.4% |
| 2008 | 0.2% |
| 2007 | 0.9% |
| 2006 | 0.2% |
| 2005 | 1.3% |
| 2004 | 3.6% |
| 2003 | 1.6% |
| 2002 | 0.6% |
| 2001 | 0.4% |
| 2000 | 1.7% |
Series World Bank BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS
0.8%2025
Data
| Year | Foreign direct investment, net inflows |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.8% |
| 2024 | 0.7% |
| 2023 | 1.0% |
| 2022 | 1.4% |
| 2021 | 1.1% |
| 2020 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.6% |
| 2018 | 0.7% |
| 2017 | 1.1% |
| 2016 | 0.8% |
| 2015 | 0.3% |
| 2014 | 0.6% |
| 2013 | 0.9% |
| 2012 | 0.7% |
| 2011 | 0.8% |
| 2010 | 0.8% |
| 2009 | 0.9% |
| 2008 | 1.0% |
| 2007 | 0.7% |
| 2006 | 0.8% |
| 2005 | 1.4% |
| 2004 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | 1.0% |
| 2002 | 0.8% |
| 2001 | 1.1% |
| 2000 | 1.9% |
Series World Bank BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Public finances
What the state owes and borrows
General government gross debt rose from 16.1% of GDP in 2000 to 52.3% in 2025 by the IMF's estimate. The IMF projected 54.4% for 2026 and 63.1% for 2031. Government accounts were in surplus by 3.9% of GDP in 2000; in 2020 they were in deficit by 2.1%, and in 2025 by 1.4%. Tax revenue came to 13.3% of GDP in 2024, down from 17.2% in 2022.
52.3%2025
Data
| Year | General government gross debt |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | 63.1% |
| 2030 (projection) | 61.7% |
| 2029 (projection) | 60.1% |
| 2028 (projection) | 58.5% |
| 2027 (projection) | 56.6% |
| 2026 (projection) | 54.4% |
| 2025 | 52.3% |
| 2024 | 49.7% |
| 2023 | 50.5% |
| 2022 | 49.8% |
| 2021 | 48.0% |
| 2020 | 45.9% |
| 2019 | 39.7% |
| 2018 | 37.9% |
| 2017 | 38.0% |
| 2016 | 39.1% |
| 2015 | 38.8% |
| 2014 | 37.9% |
| 2013 | 36.0% |
| 2012 | 33.5% |
| 2011 | 31.7% |
| 2010 | 28.3% |
| 2009 | 28.8% |
| 2008 | 25.9% |
| 2007 | 26.3% |
| 2006 | 27.0% |
| 2005 | 24.9% |
| 2004 | 21.6% |
| 2003 | 19.1% |
| 2002 | 16.4% |
| 2001 | 16.6% |
| 2000 | 16.1% |
Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXWDG_NGDP
−1.4%2025
Below zero the government borrowed.
Data
| Year | General government net lending or borrowing |
|---|---|
| 2031 (projection) | −1.1% |
| 2030 (projection) | −1.1% |
| 2029 (projection) | −1.1% |
| 2028 (projection) | −1.3% |
| 2027 (projection) | −1.3% |
| 2026 (projection) | −1.5% |
| 2025 | −1.4% |
| 2024 | −0.8% |
| 2023 | −0.7% |
| 2022 | −1.5% |
| 2021 | 0.0% |
| 2020 | −2.1% |
| 2019 | 0.4% |
| 2018 | 2.4% |
| 2017 | 2.1% |
| 2016 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | 0.5% |
| 2014 | 0.6% |
| 2013 | 0.8% |
| 2012 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | 1.7% |
| 2010 | 1.6% |
| 2009 | 0.2% |
| 2008 | 1.6% |
| 2007 | 2.5% |
| 2006 | 1.2% |
| 2005 | 1.0% |
| 2004 | 0.1% |
| 2003 | 1.5% |
| 2002 | 3.2% |
| 2001 | 2.4% |
| 2000 | 3.9% |
Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXCNL_NGDP
13.3%2024
Data
| Year | Tax revenue |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 17.2% |
| 2021 | 15.7% |
| 2020 | 14.0% |
| 2019 | 14.3% |
| 2018 | 14.7% |
| 2017 | 13.8% |
| 2016 | 13.3% |
| 2015 | 12.5% |
| 2014 | 12.6% |
| 2013 | 13.0% |
| 2012 | 13.5% |
| 2011 | 13.3% |
| 2010 | 12.9% |
| 2009 | 13.1% |
| 2008 | 13.9% |
| 2007 | 14.2% |
| 2006 | 13.2% |
| 2005 | 12.8% |
| 2004 | 12.5% |
| 2003 | 13.2% |
| 2002 | 12.8% |
| 2001 | 13.1% |
| 2000 | 13.8% |
Series World Bank GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
People
Who lives in South Korea
The World Bank put the population at 51,684,564 in 2025, below the peak of 51,836,239 in 2020 and up from 47,008,111 in 2000. Births fell from 13.5 per 1,000 people in 2000 to 4.7 in 2024, and women had 0.75 children on average in 2024 after 0.72 in 2023. The share aged 65 or over rose from 7.1% to 20.3% between 2000 and 2025, and the share under 15 fell from 21.0% to 10.2%. Net migration added 308,037 people in 2014 and 65,731 in 2025. Life expectancy at birth reached 83.6 years in 2024, against 75.9 in 2000.
51.68 m2025
The axis does not start at zero, so the change looks larger than it is.
Data
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 51.68 m |
| 2024 | 51.75 m |
| 2023 | 51.71 m |
| 2022 | 51.67 m |
| 2021 | 51.77 m |
| 2020 | 51.84 m |
| 2019 | 51.76 m |
| 2018 | 51.59 m |
| 2017 | 51.36 m |
| 2016 | 51.22 m |
| 2015 | 51.01 m |
| 2014 | 50.75 m |
| 2013 | 50.43 m |
| 2012 | 50.20 m |
| 2011 | 49.94 m |
| 2010 | 49.55 m |
| 2009 | 49.31 m |
| 2008 | 49.05 m |
| 2007 | 48.68 m |
| 2006 | 48.44 m |
| 2005 | 48.18 m |
| 2004 | 48.08 m |
| 2003 | 47.89 m |
| 2002 | 47.64 m |
| 2001 | 47.37 m |
| 2000 | 47.01 m |
Series World Bank SP.POP.TOTL
Data
| Year | Aged 0 to 14 | 15 to 64 | 65 and over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10.2% | 69.5% | 20.3% |
| 2024 | 10.6% | 70.2% | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 11.0% | 70.7% | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 11.4% | 71.1% | 17.5% |
| 2021 | 11.8% | 71.5% | 16.7% |
| 2020 | 12.1% | 72.1% | 15.8% |
| 2019 | 12.4% | 72.5% | 15.1% |
| 2018 | 12.7% | 72.8% | 14.4% |
| 2017 | 13.0% | 73.1% | 13.9% |
| 2016 | 13.4% | 73.3% | 13.4% |
| 2015 | 13.8% | 73.3% | 12.9% |
| 2014 | 14.2% | 73.3% | 12.5% |
| 2013 | 14.7% | 73.2% | 12.1% |
| 2012 | 15.2% | 73.1% | 11.7% |
| 2011 | 15.8% | 72.9% | 11.3% |
| 2010 | 16.4% | 72.6% | 11.0% |
| 2009 | 16.9% | 72.5% | 10.6% |
| 2008 | 17.5% | 72.2% | 10.3% |
| 2007 | 18.1% | 72.0% | 9.9% |
| 2006 | 18.7% | 71.9% | 9.4% |
| 2005 | 19.2% | 71.8% | 9.0% |
| 2004 | 19.7% | 71.7% | 8.6% |
| 2003 | 20.1% | 71.7% | 8.2% |
| 2002 | 20.5% | 71.7% | 7.8% |
| 2001 | 20.8% | 71.8% | 7.4% |
| 2000 | 21.0% | 71.9% | 7.1% |
Series World Bank SP.POP.0014.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.1564.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS
0.752024
Data
| Year | Births per woman |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.75 |
| 2023 | 0.72 |
| 2022 | 0.78 |
| 2021 | 0.81 |
| 2020 | 0.84 |
| 2019 | 0.92 |
| 2018 | 0.98 |
| 2017 | 1.05 |
| 2016 | 1.17 |
| 2015 | 1.24 |
| 2014 | 1.21 |
| 2013 | 1.19 |
| 2012 | 1.30 |
| 2011 | 1.24 |
| 2010 | 1.23 |
| 2009 | 1.15 |
| 2008 | 1.19 |
| 2007 | 1.26 |
| 2006 | 1.13 |
| 2005 | 1.09 |
| 2004 | 1.16 |
| 2003 | 1.19 |
| 2002 | 1.18 |
| 2001 | 1.31 |
| 2000 | 1.48 |
Series World Bank SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
83.6 years2024
Data
| Year | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 83.6 years |
| 2023 | 83.4 years |
| 2022 | 82.7 years |
| 2021 | 83.5 years |
| 2020 | 83.4 years |
| 2019 | 83.2 years |
| 2018 | 82.6 years |
| 2017 | 82.6 years |
| 2016 | 82.3 years |
| 2015 | 82.0 years |
| 2014 | 81.7 years |
| 2013 | 81.3 years |
| 2012 | 80.8 years |
| 2011 | 80.6 years |
| 2010 | 80.1 years |
| 2009 | 80.0 years |
| 2008 | 79.5 years |
| 2007 | 79.1 years |
| 2006 | 78.7 years |
| 2005 | 78.2 years |
| 2004 | 77.7 years |
| 2003 | 77.2 years |
| 2002 | 76.8 years |
| 2001 | 76.4 years |
| 2000 | 75.9 years |
Series World Bank SP.DYN.LE00.IN
65 7312025
People arriving less people leaving, each year. The largest net inflow in the series was 308 037 people, in 2014.
Data
| Year | Net migration |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 65 731 |
| 2024 | 75 963 |
| 2023 | 87 800 |
| 2022 | 87 800 |
| 2021 | −16 778 |
| 2020 | 112 631 |
| 2019 | 128 622 |
| 2018 | 118 220 |
| 2017 | 104 029 |
| 2016 | 91 568 |
| 2015 | 276 427 |
| 2014 | 308 037 |
| 2013 | 301 926 |
| 2012 | 281 866 |
| 2011 | 269 958 |
| 2010 | 52 042 |
| 2009 | 5 308 |
| 2008 | −19 630 |
| 2007 | −42 293 |
| 2006 | −28 434 |
| 2005 | −47 821 |
| 2004 | −42 549 |
| 2003 | −31 994 |
| 2002 | −18 105 |
| 2001 | −28 006 |
| 2000 | −84 960 |
Series World Bank SM.POP.NETM
Living standards
Health, schooling, the internet and inequality
Health spending rose from 3.7% of GDP in 2000 to 8.7% in 2024. Public spending on education was 5.4% in 2022. Internet use reached 97.9% of people in 2024, up from 44.7% in 2000, and the Gini coefficient of income inequality, where 0 is perfect equality, was 32.9 in 2021 after a high of 35.2 in 2016.
8.7%2024
Data
| Year | Health spending |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 8.9% |
| 2021 | 8.3% |
| 2020 | 8.0% |
| 2019 | 7.7% |
| 2018 | 7.1% |
| 2017 | 6.8% |
| 2016 | 6.6% |
| 2015 | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 6.2% |
| 2013 | 6.1% |
| 2012 | 6.0% |
| 2011 | 5.9% |
| 2010 | 5.8% |
| 2009 | 5.7% |
| 2008 | 5.3% |
| 2007 | 5.0% |
| 2006 | 5.0% |
| 2005 | 4.7% |
| 2004 | 4.4% |
| 2003 | 4.5% |
| 2002 | 3.9% |
| 2001 | 4.2% |
| 2000 | 3.7% |
Series World Bank SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
5.4%2022
Data
| Year | Public spending on education |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5.4% |
| 2021 | 4.6% |
| 2020 | 4.5% |
| 2019 | 4.4% |
| 2018 | 4.2% |
| 2017 | 4.1% |
| 2016 | 4.1% |
| 2015 | 4.2% |
Series World Bank SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
97.9%2024
Data
| Year | Using the internet |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 97.9% |
| 2023 | 97.4% |
| 2022 | 97.2% |
| 2021 | 97.6% |
| 2020 | 96.5% |
| 2019 | 96.2% |
| 2018 | 96.0% |
| 2017 | 95.1% |
| 2016 | 92.8% |
| 2015 | 89.9% |
| 2014 | 87.6% |
| 2013 | 84.8% |
| 2012 | 84.1% |
| 2011 | 83.8% |
| 2010 | 83.7% |
| 2009 | 81.6% |
| 2008 | 81.0% |
| 2007 | 78.8% |
| 2006 | 78.1% |
| 2005 | 73.5% |
| 2004 | 72.7% |
| 2003 | 65.5% |
| 2002 | 59.4% |
| 2001 | 56.6% |
| 2000 | 44.7% |
Series World Bank IT.NET.USER.ZS
32.92021
Data
| Year | Gini coefficient |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 32.9 |
| 2020 | 32.7 |
| 2019 | 33.2 |
| 2018 | 33.7 |
| 2017 | 34.9 |
| 2016 | 35.2 |
| 2014 | 31.2 |
| 2012 | 31.6 |
| 2010 | 32.0 |
| 2008 | 32.3 |
| 2006 | 31.7 |
Series World Bank SI.POV.GINI
81.2%2025
+1.6 points since 2000, between 79.6% and 82.0% in every year
Data
| Year | Living in towns and cities |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 81.2% |
| 2024 | 81.2% |
| 2023 | 81.2% |
| 2022 | 81.2% |
| 2021 | 81.2% |
| 2020 | 81.2% |
| 2019 | 81.3% |
| 2018 | 81.4% |
| 2017 | 81.5% |
| 2016 | 81.6% |
| 2015 | 81.6% |
| 2014 | 81.7% |
| 2013 | 81.8% |
| 2012 | 81.9% |
| 2011 | 82.0% |
| 2010 | 82.0% |
| 2009 | 81.9% |
| 2008 | 81.8% |
| 2007 | 81.7% |
| 2006 | 81.6% |
| 2005 | 81.4% |
| 2004 | 81.1% |
| 2003 | 80.7% |
| 2002 | 80.3% |
| 2001 | 79.9% |
| 2000 | 79.6% |
Series World Bank SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Energy and environment
Energy, emissions and forest
Renewable sources generated 6.6% of electricity in 2021. Carbon dioxide emissions came to 11.4 tonnes per person in 2024, down from 13.2 in 2018 and above the 9.9 of 2000, and forest covered 64.1% of the land in 2023, against 67.1% in 2000. Renewables supplied 3.6% of final energy use in 2021. That is up from 0.7% in 2000.
6.6%2021
Data
| Year | Electricity from renewable sources |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.6% |
| 2020 | 6.2% |
| 2019 | 5.3% |
| 2018 | 4.5% |
| 2017 | 4.0% |
| 2016 | 3.5% |
| 2015 | 2.6% |
| 2014 | 2.5% |
| 2013 | 2.4% |
| 2012 | 2.1% |
| 2011 | 2.0% |
| 2010 | 1.9% |
| 2009 | 1.7% |
| 2008 | 1.6% |
| 2007 | 1.5% |
| 2006 | 1.4% |
| 2005 | 1.4% |
| 2004 | 1.7% |
| 2003 | 2.1% |
| 2002 | 1.7% |
| 2001 | 2.0% |
| 2000 | 2.0% |
Series World Bank EG.ELC.RNEW.ZS
3.6%2021
Data
| Year | Renewable share of final energy use |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.6% |
| 2020 | 3.6% |
| 2019 | 3.2% |
| 2018 | 3.2% |
| 2017 | 2.8% |
| 2016 | 2.6% |
| 2015 | 2.7% |
| 2014 | 2.9% |
| 2013 | 1.9% |
| 2012 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | 1.4% |
| 2010 | 1.3% |
| 2009 | 1.2% |
| 2008 | 1.1% |
| 2007 | 1.0% |
| 2006 | 0.9% |
| 2005 | 0.9% |
| 2004 | 0.8% |
| 2003 | 0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.7% |
| 2001 | 0.7% |
| 2000 | 0.7% |
Series World Bank EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS
11.4 t2024
Data
| Year | CO2 emissions per person |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11.4 t |
| 2023 | 11.4 t |
| 2022 | 11.9 t |
| 2021 | 12.3 t |
| 2020 | 11.9 t |
| 2019 | 12.7 t |
| 2018 | 13.2 t |
| 2017 | 12.9 t |
| 2016 | 12.7 t |
| 2015 | 12.6 t |
| 2014 | 12.4 t |
| 2013 | 12.7 t |
| 2012 | 12.8 t |
| 2011 | 13.0 t |
| 2010 | 12.4 t |
| 2009 | 11.3 t |
| 2008 | 11.3 t |
| 2007 | 11.1 t |
| 2006 | 10.8 t |
| 2005 | 10.7 t |
| 2004 | 10.8 t |
| 2003 | 10.5 t |
| 2002 | 10.4 t |
| 2001 | 10.1 t |
| 2000 | 9.9 t |
Series World Bank EN.GHG.CO2.PC.CE.AR5
64.1%2023
−3.0 points since 2000, between 64.1% and 67.1% in every year
Data
| Year | Forest cover |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 64.1% |
| 2022 | 64.2% |
| 2021 | 64.3% |
| 2020 | 64.4% |
| 2019 | 64.5% |
| 2018 | 64.7% |
| 2017 | 64.8% |
| 2016 | 64.9% |
| 2015 | 65.0% |
| 2014 | 65.1% |
| 2013 | 65.3% |
| 2012 | 65.4% |
| 2011 | 65.6% |
| 2010 | 65.7% |
| 2009 | 65.9% |
| 2008 | 66.0% |
| 2007 | 66.2% |
| 2006 | 66.3% |
| 2005 | 66.4% |
| 2004 | 66.5% |
| 2003 | 66.6% |
| 2002 | 66.7% |
| 2001 | 66.8% |
| 2000 | 67.1% |
Series World Bank AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Codes
South Korea's codes and memberships
The state
- Status
- Sovereign state
- State since
- 1948
- Government
- presidential system, republic
- Official languages
- Korean, Korean Sign Language
- United Nations
- Member
Identifiers
- Calling code
- +82
- Internet domain
- .kr · .한국
- Time zone
- UTC+09:00
Memberships
Also a member, joining year not on record
Questions
Questions about South Korea in figures
How large is South Korea's economy?
South Korea's GDP was $1.87 trillion in 2025 in current US dollars, according to the World Bank, or $36,227 per person. At purchasing power parity, GDP per person was $63,125 in 2025. The peak in current dollars was $1.94 trillion in 2021.
How fast is South Korea's economy growing?
Real GDP grew 1.0% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2024, by the World Bank's figures, and the only fall since 2000 was 0.7% in 2020. The IMF projected growth of 1.9% for 2026 and 2.1% for 2027.
How fast did prices rise in South Korea in 2025?
Consumer prices rose 2.1% in 2025, after 2.3% in 2024 and a peak of 5.1% in 2022, according to the World Bank. The IMF projected 2.5% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027.
What is South Korea's government debt as a share of GDP?
General government gross debt was 52.3% of GDP in 2025 by the IMF's estimate, up from 16.1% in 2000. The IMF projected 54.4% for 2026 and 63.1% for 2031.
How many people live in South Korea?
The World Bank estimated South Korea's population at 51,684,564 in 2025, below its peak of 51,836,239 in 2020. The figure on the country record, 51,628,117, is dated 1 January 2022.
What is South Korea's fertility rate?
Women in South Korea had 0.75 children on average in 2024, according to the World Bank, after 0.72 in 2023. In 2000 the figure was 1.48. Births per 1,000 people fell from 13.5 in 2000 to 4.7 in 2024.
Record generated 2026-08-31, series 2026-09-27 · Q884 · World Bank data · Asia