South Korea Population: 51,252,483

South Korea is situated in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is widely known as an East Asian nation. The capital of South Koreas is Seoul. There are very popular cities in South Korea that are high tech and highly developed. South Korea’s hilly countryside is filled with cherry trees, temples, and fishing villages. The country is also called as a global leader. South Korea has been very influential in the field of innovation and technology.

Largest Cities in South Korea by Population

Seoul has the highest population, followed by Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Gwangju, and many more.

CITY NAME POPULATION CITY NAME POPULATION CITY NAME POPULATION
Seoul 10,349,312 Chinju 307,242 Asan 97,749
Busan 3,678,555 Yeosu 295,538 Wabu 96,775
Incheon 2,628,000 Gumi 291,006 Namyangju 90,798
Daegu 2,566,540 Iksan 283,501 Kwangyang 89,281
Daejeon 1,475,221 Mokpo 268,402 Hongseong 89,174
Gwangju 1,416,938 Gunsan 243,406 Sokcho 89,047
Suwon 1,242,724 Wonju 243,387 Eisen 84,625
Goyang-si 1,073,069 Suncheon 230,796 Wanju 84,009
Seongnam-si 1,031,935 Sejong 230,327 Yangp’yong 83,367
Ulsan 962,865 Chuncheon 209,746 Ungsang 83,360
Bucheon-si 850,731 Icheon-si 196,230 Sinhyeon 82,560
Jeonju 711,424 Guri-si 195,236 Gwangju 81,780
Ansan-si 650,728 Gangneung 180,611 Mungyeong 81,525
Cheongju-si 634,596 Yangju 179,923 Naeso 80,987
Anyang-si 634,367 Osan 158,978 Muan 75,718
Changwon 550,000 Seogwipo 155,691 Hongch’on 75,251
Pohang 500,000 Gyeongju 155,237 Changnyeong 74,668
Uijeongbu-si 479,141 Gimcheon 150,000 Seosan 74,208
Hwaseong-si 476,297 Jeongeup 139,876 Koch’ang 72,996
Masan 434,371 Hanam 134,902 Gongju 72,435
Jeju City 408,364 Gyeongsan-si 129,903 Kyosai 72,124
Cheonan 365,114 Andong 129,319 Yangsan 71,936
Kwangmyong 357,545 Hwado 106,358
Kimhae 356,242 Tonghae 101,128

South Korea Population History

The total population of South Korea for 2020 is 51,269,185. In the years before 2000, there has been remarkable growth in the total population of South Korea. The figures show that after 2000 the population rate is gradually increasing. However, the median age for 2020 is 43.7, and it will considerably increase during the coming years.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 51,269,185 0.09% 43,877 11,731 43.7 1.11 527 81.80% 41,934,110 0.66% 7,794,798,739 28
2019 51,225,308 0.10% 53,602 11,731 41.4 1.21 527 81.60% 41,805,375 0.66% 7,713,468,100 28
2018 51,171,706 0.15% 75,291 11,731 41.4 1.21 526 81.40% 41,678,226 0.67% 7,631,091,040 28
2017 51,096,415 0.22% 112,958 11,731 41.4 1.21 526 81.30% 41,552,264 0.68% 7,547,858,925 27
2016 50,983,457 0.32% 160,364 11,731 41.4 1.21 524 81.30% 41,426,777 0.68% 7,464,022,049 27
2015 50,823,093 0.51% 255,491 80,237 40.8 1.23 523 81.30% 41,301,851 0.69% 7,379,797,139 27
2010 49,545,636 0.34% 168,913 -31,309 38 1.17 510 81.90% 40,601,614 0.71% 6,956,823,603 26
2005 48,701,073 0.55% 264,366 16,245 34.8 1.21 501 81.40% 39,622,010 0.74% 6,541,907,027 25
2000 47,379,241 0.90% 417,344 31,886 31.9 1.5 487 79.60% 37,729,427 0.77% 6,143,493,823 24
1995 45,292,522 1.08% 474,821 14,284 29.3 1.68 466 78.20% 35,441,319 0.79% 5,744,212,979 24
1990 42,918,419 1.02% 422,803 34,116 27 1.57 441 73.90% 31,696,103 0.81% 5,327,231,061 24
1985 40,804,402 1.41% 551,759 18,578 24.3 2.23 420 64.90% 26,474,831 0.84% 4,870,921,740 23
1980 38,045,607 1.46% 533,389 -33,027 22.1 2.92 391 56.70% 21,582,191 0.85% 4,458,003,514 23
1975 35,378,661 1.90% 636,596 -41,988 19.9 4 364 48.00% 16,997,155 0.87% 4,079,480,606 23
1970 32,195,681 2.19% 660,025 -16,369 19 4.65 331 40.70% 13,110,502 0.87% 3,700,437,046 24
1965 28,895,558 2.67% 713,209 -13,827 18.4 5.6 297 32.40% 9,351,713 0.87% 3,339,583,597 24
1960 25,329,515 3.32% 762,989 62,079 18.6 6.33 261 27.70% 7,022,058 0.83% 3,034,949,748 24
1955 21,514,570 2.29% 460,637 86,590 18.9 5.65 221 24.40% 5,251,885 0.78% 2,773,019,936 24

South Korea Population forecast

The total population as of 2020 is known as 51,269,185. The population forecast shows that there is going to be a significant decrease in the total population. By 2050, the total population is estimated at 46,829,925, which is -0.67 %.

The main factor contributing to the decrease in the total population is the total fertility rate of South Korea. From 2020 to 2050, the fertility rate remains constant, which is 1.11%. This suggests that due to no increase in the percentage of newborns, there is no increase in the total population.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 51,269,185 0.17% 89,218 11,731 43.7 1.11 527 81.80% 41,934,110 0.66% 7,794,798,739 28
2025 51,339,377 0.03% 14,038 20,000 46.5 1.11 528 83.00% 42,587,468 0.63% 8,184,437,460 29
2030 51,152,046 -0.07% -37,466 30,001 49.1 1.11 526 84.50% 43,241,435 0.60% 8,548,487,400 31
2035 50,685,006 -0.18% -93,408 30,001 51.4 1.11 521 86.30% 43,761,621 0.57% 8,887,524,213 34
2040 49,783,734 -0.36% -180,254 30,001 53.4 1.11 512 88.40% 44,014,618 0.54% 9,198,847,240 37
2045 48,479,724 -0.53% -260,802 30,001 54.9 1.11 499 90.70% 43,976,623 0.51% 9,481,803,274 38
2050 46,829,925 -0.69% -329,960 56.5 1.11 482 93.10% 43,616,033 0.48% 9,735,033,990 43

South Korea Demographics

South Korea is well known for its life expectancy rate. The average expectancy rate is 83.50%. The infant mortality rate of this country is projected at 1.8. The total male percentage of South Korea is 50.06%, which is 25,665,854. The female population is known to be 49.94% that is 25,603,329.

South Korea Religion & Politics

There are no major religious groups in South Korea. Most of the people are non-believers. The total percentage of people with no religious belief is 46%. Christianity is the religion that has grown significantly in South Korea. In past years 1% of populations were Catholics.

Recently, Christians in South Korea are 26%. South Korea is well known for Buddhism and its temples. The total percentage of Buddhists is 23%.

South Korea Economy

South Korea is an industrialized country. The country has been a prominent leader in the import and export field. As South Korea is a highly developed nation, its nominal GDP is high, and the country has been ranked as the world’s 12th largest economy.

Largest Countries in the World by Population

S.No Country Population (2020) World Population Share (%)
1 China 1,439,323,776 18.47%
2 India 1,380,004,385 17.70%
3 United States 331,002,651 4.25%
4 Indonesia 273,523,615 3.51%
5 Pakistan 220,892,340 2.83%
6 Brazil 212,559,417 2.73%
7 Nigeria 206,139,589 2.64%
8 Bangladesh 164,689,383 2.11%
9 Russia 145,934,462 1.87%
10 Mexico 128,932,753 1.65%