Rank #101 by World Population
🇰🇷Korea, Rep.
Korea, Rep. has a population of 51,712,619, ranking #101 in the world. The capital is Seoul. Located in East Asia & Pacific.
World Bank: High income
51,712,619
Population
#101
World Rank
83.4
Life Expectancy
$35,674
GDP Per Capita
Korea, Rep., #101 by world population
Korea, Rep. Population History (1960-2024)
The country of Korea, Rep. had a population of 25,012,374 in 1960 and 51,751,065 in 2024, a 2.1× growth over 64 years. The peak was 51,836,239 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 1.15%.
51,751,065
Population (2024)
25,012,374
Population (1960)
51,836,239
Peak (2020)
1.15%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 25,012,374 |
| 1961 | 25,765,673 |
| 1962 | 26,513,030 |
| 1963 | 27,261,747 |
| 1964 | 27,984,155 |
| 1965 | 28,704,674 |
| 1966 | 29,435,571 |
| 1967 | 30,130,983 |
| 1968 | 30,838,302 |
| 1969 | 31,544,266 |
| 1970 | 32,240,827 |
| 1971 | 32,882,704 |
| 1972 | 33,505,406 |
| 1973 | 34,103,149 |
| 1974 | 34,692,266 |
| 1975 | 35,280,725 |
| 1976 | 35,848,523 |
| 1977 | 36,411,795 |
| 1978 | 36,969,185 |
| 1979 | 37,534,236 |
| 1980 | 38,123,775 |
| 1981 | 38,723,248 |
| 1982 | 39,326,352 |
| 1983 | 39,910,403 |
| 1984 | 40,405,956 |
| 1985 | 40,805,744 |
| 1986 | 41,213,674 |
| 1987 | 41,621,690 |
| 1988 | 42,031,247 |
| 1989 | 42,449,038 |
| 1990 | 42,869,283 |
| 1991 | 43,295,704 |
| 1992 | 43,747,962 |
| 1993 | 44,194,628 |
| 1994 | 44,641,540 |
| 1995 | 45,092,991 |
| 1996 | 45,524,681 |
| 1997 | 45,953,580 |
| 1998 | 46,286,503 |
| 1999 | 46,616,677 |
| 2000 | 47,008,111 |
| 2001 | 47,370,164 |
| 2002 | 47,644,736 |
| 2003 | 47,892,330 |
| 2004 | 48,082,519 |
| 2005 | 48,184,561 |
| 2006 | 48,438,292 |
| 2007 | 48,683,638 |
| 2008 | 49,054,708 |
| 2009 | 49,307,835 |
| 2010 | 49,554,112 |
| 2011 | 49,936,638 |
| 2012 | 50,199,853 |
| 2013 | 50,428,893 |
| 2014 | 50,746,659 |
| 2015 | 51,014,947 |
| 2016 | 51,217,803 |
| 2017 | 51,361,911 |
| 2018 | 51,585,058 |
| 2019 | 51,764,822 |
| 2020 | 51,836,239 |
| 2021 | 51,769,539 |
| 2022 | 51,672,569 |
| 2023 | 51,712,619 |
| 2024 | 51,751,065 |
Demographics
| Population | 51,712,619 |
| Population Growth Rate | 0.08% |
| Urban Population | 81.2% |
| Fertility Rate | 0.72 births/woman |
| Life Expectancy | 83.4 years |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 2.4 per 1,000 |
| Literacy Rate | - |
Economy & Trade
$35,674
GDP Per Capita
2.7%
Unemployment Rate
High income
Income Level
32.7
Gini Index (inequality)
82.3%
Trade (% of GDP)
2,519,000
Tourism Arrivals
Health & Education
8.6%
Health Expenditure (% GDP)
2.61
Physicians per 1,000
2.4
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Development & Connectivity
100.0%
Electricity Access
97.2%
Internet Users
141
Mobile Subs per 100
529.8
People per km2
87,800
Net Migration
Environment
64.1%
Forest Area
Korea, Rep. Climate
Korea, Rep. has an average annual temperature of 12.1°C (54°F) and receives about 1339 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
12.1°C
Avg Temp
1339
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -3° / 27° | 25 mm |
| February | 0° / 31° | 28 mm |
| March | 5° / 41° | 49 mm |
| April | 12° / 54° | 81 mm |
| May | 17° / 63° | 97 mm |
| June | 22° / 71° | 136 mm |
| July | 25° / 77° | 322 mm |
| August | 25° / 78° | 316 mm |
| September | 21° / 69° | 150 mm |
| October | 14° / 57° | 54 mm |
| November | 7° / 44° | 54 mm |
| December | 0° / 32° | 27 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Korea, Rep.
The most comfortable months to visit Korea, Rep. are typically June, September and May, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 29°C high). The coldest is January (near -7°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
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Other Countries in East Asia & Pacific
Korea, Rep. in global context
Korea, Rep. is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.
World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →Other related entities
Country rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea, Rep. has a population of 51,712,619, ranking #101 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 0.08%.
Life expectancy in Korea, Rep. is 83.4 years. The infant mortality rate is 2.4 per 1,000 live births.
Korea, Rep.'s GDP per capita is $35,674. It is classified as a high income country by the World Bank.
81.2% of Korea, Rep.'s population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 529.8 people per square kilometer.
Literacy data for Korea, Rep. is available from the World Bank.
The most comfortable months to visit Korea, Rep. are typically June, September and May, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.
Korea, Rep. has an average annual temperature of 12.1°C and about 1339 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically August and the coldest is January.
International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.
Korea, Rep. is a country in East Asia & Pacific with a population of 51,712,619. The population is growing slowly, about 0.1% annually.
Economically, Korea, Rep. is high-income — GDP per capita is roughly $35,674. Life expectancy is high at 83.4 years, with a fertility rate of 0.7 births per woman, and 81.2% of the population lives in urban areas.
Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.