Population · Asia · 2025 data
South Korea Population
South Korea had a population of 51.68 million in 2025, ranking #29 of 216 countries and territories (0.63% of the world). The population grew by 1.3% over the past ten years and peaked in 2020 at 51.84 million.
51.68 million
Population (2025) · #29
-0.13%
Annual growth
530
People per km²
81%
Live in cities
Population of South Korea, 1960–2025
25.01960
28.71965
32.21970
35.31975
38.11980
40.81985
42.91990
45.11995
47.02000
48.22005
49.62010
51.02015
51.82020
51.72025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51,684,564 | -0.13% |
| 2024 | 51,751,065 | +0.07% |
| 2023 | 51,712,619 | +0.08% |
| 2022 | 51,672,569 | -0.19% |
| 2021 | 51,769,539 | -0.13% |
| 2020 | 51,836,239 | +0.14% |
| 2019 | 51,764,822 | +0.35% |
| 2018 | 51,585,058 | +0.43% |
| 2017 | 51,361,911 | +0.28% |
| 2016 | 51,217,803 | +0.40% |
| 2015 | 51,014,947 | +0.53% |
| 2014 | 50,746,659 | +0.63% |
| 2013 | 50,428,893 | +0.46% |
| 2012 | 50,199,853 | +0.53% |
| 2011 | 49,936,638 | +0.77% |
| 2010 | 49,554,112 | +0.50% |
| 2009 | 49,307,835 | +0.52% |
| 2008 | 49,054,708 | +0.76% |
| 2007 | 48,683,638 | +0.51% |
| 2006 | 48,438,292 | +0.53% |
| 2005 | 48,184,561 | +0.21% |
| 2004 | 48,082,519 | +0.40% |
| 2003 | 47,892,330 | +0.52% |
| 2002 | 47,644,736 | +0.58% |
| 2001 | 47,370,164 | +0.77% |
| 2000 | 47,008,111 | +0.84% |
| 1999 | 46,616,677 | +0.71% |
| 1998 | 46,286,503 | +0.72% |
| 1997 | 45,953,580 | +0.94% |
| 1996 | 45,524,681 | +0.96% |
| 1995 | 45,092,991 | +1.01% |
| 1994 | 44,641,540 | +1.01% |
| 1993 | 44,194,628 | +1.02% |
| 1992 | 43,747,962 | +1.04% |
| 1991 | 43,295,704 | +0.99% |
| 1990 | 42,869,283 | +0.99% |
| 1989 | 42,449,038 | +0.99% |
| 1988 | 42,031,247 | +0.98% |
| 1987 | 41,621,690 | +0.99% |
| 1986 | 41,213,674 | +1.00% |
| 1985 | 40,805,744 | +0.99% |
| 1984 | 40,405,956 | +1.24% |
| 1983 | 39,910,403 | +1.49% |
| 1982 | 39,326,352 | +1.56% |
| 1981 | 38,723,248 | +1.57% |
| 1980 | 38,123,775 | +1.57% |
| 1979 | 37,534,236 | +1.53% |
| 1978 | 36,969,185 | +1.53% |
| 1977 | 36,411,795 | +1.57% |
| 1976 | 35,848,523 | +1.61% |
| 1975 | 35,280,725 | +1.70% |
| 1974 | 34,692,266 | +1.73% |
| 1973 | 34,103,149 | +1.78% |
| 1972 | 33,505,406 | +1.89% |
| 1971 | 32,882,704 | +1.99% |
| 1970 | 32,240,827 | +2.21% |
| 1969 | 31,544,266 | +2.29% |
| 1968 | 30,838,302 | +2.35% |
| 1967 | 30,130,983 | +2.36% |
| 1966 | 29,435,571 | +2.55% |
| 1965 | 28,704,674 | +2.57% |
| 1964 | 27,984,155 | +2.65% |
| 1963 | 27,261,747 | +2.82% |
| 1962 | 26,513,030 | +2.90% |
| 1961 | 25,765,673 | +3.01% |
| 1960 | 25,012,374 | — |
Demographics of South Korea
83.6
Life expectancy (years)
0.75
Births per woman (below replacement)
20.3%
Aged 65 and over
47 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
Korean
Languages
Korean, English
Religions
Protestant 17%, Buddhist 16%, Catholic 6%, none 60% (2021 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 81.5% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
1
Seoul Capital
10.0 million2
Busan
3.5 million3
Incheon
2.8 million4
Daegu
2.2 million5
Daejon
1.6 million6
Gwangju
1.5 million
Frequently asked questions about the population of South Korea
What is the population of South Korea?
South Korea had a population of 51.68 million in 2025, ranking #29 of 216 countries and territories (0.63% of the world).
Is the population of South Korea growing?
No. The population grew by 1.3% over the past ten years and peaked in 2020 at 51.84 million. Annual growth in 2025: -0.13%.
How has the population of South Korea changed since 1960?
It has grown 2.1-fold, from 25.01 million in 1960 to 51.68 million in 2025.
How densely populated is South Korea?
About 530 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in South Korea?
Seoul — about 10.0 million people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).