South Korea Population
Total mid-year population.
Population in South Korea decreased to 51.68 million in 2025 from 51.75 million in 2024.
South Korea Population — History
Drag or pinch to zoom. Dashed line: IMF World Economic Outlook projection. Other sources can be switched on in the legend.
South Korea Population — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Population in South Korea decreased to 51.68 million in 2025 from 51.75 million in 2024.
Over the last three years it rose twice and fell once.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 51.75M, so the latest figure is 0.07M lower.
Over the past five years the average was 51.72M, with a range from 51.67M to 51.77M. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1960 and has 66 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 91% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 51.84M (2020) and the lowest is 25.01M (1960). The long-run average is 42.20M.
Compared with other countries
Among 217 economies with recent data, South Korea ranks 29th from the top. The median across all these economies is 6.55M, so South Korea is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 13th.
Within East Asia & Pacific (37 economies with data) it ranks 8th; the regional median is 1.42M.
IMF outlook
The IMF World Economic Outlook projects 51.62M in 2026 and 51.54M in 2027 for South Korea. Projections are forecasts, not actual data, and are revised as new information arrives.
Statistics
- Latest
- 51.68M2025
- Previous
- 51.75M
- 5-year average
- 51.72M
- Long-run average
- 42.20Msince 1960
- All-time high
- 51.84M2020
- All-time low
- 25.01M1960
- Observations
- 66Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51.68M | ▼ −0.07 |
| 2024 | 51.75M | ▲ +0.04 |
| 2023 | 51.71M | ▲ +0.04 |
| 2022 | 51.67M | ▼ −0.10 |
| 2021 | 51.77M | ▼ −0.07 |
| 2020 | 51.84M | ▲ +0.07 |
| 2019 | 51.76M | ▲ +0.18 |
| 2018 | 51.59M | ▲ +0.22 |
| 2017 | 51.36M | ▲ +0.14 |
| 2016 | 51.22M | ▲ +0.20 |
| 2015 | 51.01M | ▲ +0.27 |
| 2014 | 50.75M | ▲ +0.32 |
| 2013 | 50.43M | ▲ +0.23 |
| 2012 | 50.20M | ▲ +0.26 |
| 2011 | 49.94M | ▲ +0.38 |
| 2010 | 49.55M | ▲ +0.25 |
| 2009 | 49.31M | ▲ +0.25 |
| 2008 | 49.05M | ▲ +0.37 |
| 2007 | 48.68M | ▲ +0.25 |
| 2006 | 48.44M | ▲ +0.25 |
| 2005 | 48.18M | ▲ +0.10 |
| 2004 | 48.08M | ▲ +0.19 |
| 2003 | 47.89M | ▲ +0.25 |
| 2002 | 47.64M | ▲ +0.27 |
| 2001 | 47.37M | ▲ +0.36 |
| 2000 | 47.01M | ▲ +0.39 |
| 1999 | 46.62M | ▲ +0.33 |
| 1998 | 46.29M | ▲ +0.33 |
| 1997 | 45.95M | ▲ +0.43 |
| 1996 | 45.52M |
Population — South Korea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). South Korea highlighted.
More South Korea indicators
Understanding Population — a simple guide
What it measures
Total mid-year population.
How it is calculated
Total residents at mid-year, from censuses and official estimates.
1,450 million means 145 crore people.
A large, growing population means a large workforce and consumer market.
A shrinking or ageing population can slow long-term growth.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Population size and growth shape labour supply, consumption and long-term growth potential.
How to read it
Compare growth rates and age structure rather than size alone.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series SP.POP.TOTL), annual data from 1960 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current population of South Korea?
What is the highest and lowest population of South Korea?
What is the IMF projection for South Korea population?
What does population measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.